3 Things You Need to Know About Safe Home Heating During the Winter
Canadian winters have special powers. During those frosty months, the cold can find the smallest chink in a house’s heating defenses. Short of running on the spot for four months, we have to resort to other methods to stay warm. Unfortunately, one of the largest causes of house fires is heating. A little carelessness can mean the loss of your home and everything in it.
Here are three things you need to know about safe home heating this winter:
Safety starts with your fireplace
If you have a wood burning fireplace, there are a few things you need to think about for the winter season. The first order of business is to ensure that your chimney is in good working order. Get it inspected and cleaned every year before winter comes.
There are few other tips that can help you get through the frigid winter nights safely. Make sure you aren’t burning paper unless you’re just starting the fire. The embers can move out of the fireplace very easily and start fires elsewhere. Also, make sure you put out the fire overnight and store any ashes in a metal container with a lid outside of your home. This is one of the essentials of safe home heating.
Pros and cons of space heating
Space heaters are great because they’re portable and work quickly. While they aren’t the best for big rooms, you can put one in the corner and get some warm air coming your way with minimal fuss or muss.
However, these little units can pose some problems as well. These aren’t always the safest to run so it’s advised that you only run them when you’re in the room. In addition, you should keep them away from anything that can burn, like bedding, clothing or curtains. Also, make sure you always plug them directly into a wall socket as an extension cord may overheat and start a fire.
Keep your furnace fit year round
Your furnace is a pretty safe bet, but there are still some things you need to keep in mind for maintenance. To keep it running well, make sure you get an annual inspection and cleaning done on it. This will ensure it gives you many years of cost-efficient heating happiness.
You’ll also want to check your furnace filter regularly, since it can get clogged and make your furnace work harder to get the heat to you. While it’s not a direct safety risk, a clean filter can help your furnace healthy for the long haul.
An effort at safe home heating is essential if you want to stay warm and cozy this winter. However, even with all the best precautions, accidents happens. A good home insurance policy can help you out when all other things fail.