Fall is settling in, but winter is right around the corner and your homeowners insurance agency asks this question: are you aware of the top heating safety risks that can affect your home?
Home heating issues are among the top causes of fires and other safety concerns during January and February that are filed with insurance agents.
Though it may not yet be time to start warming the inside of your house, it is never too early to start preparing for winter heating safety.
Avoid the dangers that can have you filing a claim with your homeowners insurance company and have a safe and cozy winter.
1. Space Heaters
Space heaters are responsible for many heating-related accidents and 80% of all home fire deaths.
Insurance agents stress that as useful as they can be, they are deadly when not used correctly.
Avoid accidents and injuries that result in a call to your insurance agency by always carefully following the directions on the heater.
Use it at least 3 feet away from anything flammable, keep kids and pets away, and never leave it turned on while unattended, just to name a few tips.
2. Fireplaces
Fireplaces can heat an entire house but must be used with care to prevent a dangerous fire.
One little spark is enough to start a devastating fire that could cause extensive damage to your home and require the help of your home owners insurance company to file a claim.
Never use a fireplace without a screen, remove old ash after each fire and store it away from the house in a lidded metal container, and have natural gas fireplaces serviced each year before the first use.
3. Chimneys
Chimney safety is another essential concern according to insurance agencies, as they are responsible for dangerous injuries in multiple ways.
Starting a fireplace without making sure the flue is open and functional can quickly fill a home with smoke and carbon gas, injuring its occupants.
Dirty chimneys that are coated with oil and creosote from burning wood can catch fire and spread to the roof as well as the rest of the house.
Have your chimney inspected and cleaned each fall before using your fireplace to avoid these dangerous problems.
4. Candles
Candles create a cozy ambiance in winter, especially around the holidays, and insurance agents understand that they can be helpful in a power outage; however, they can be very dangerous.
Never burn a candle on or near anything that can catch fire and never leave one unattended.
Choose natural wax and fragrance candles over cheaper ones made with synthetic chemicals, as those chemicals can cause health problems.
Also, candles generally do not provide enough heat to try using them as a heating replacement, so it is better to just avoid that.
5. Ovens
Another item that should never be used as a source of heat is your oven or stovetop, especially if they are fueled with natural gas.
Not only are ovens and stoves a top source of kitchen fires reported to homeowners insurance agencies, they can also cause injuries like burns and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Additionally, ovens and stoves are only designed to heat small areas, so they are very inefficient heaters beyond the enclosure of the oven or a pot on the stove.
6. Carbon Monoxide
Every winter, tens of thousands of people are fatally injured by breathing in carbon monoxide.
This colorless and odorless gas can collect in a home when a chimney flue is not functioning properly, if a natural gas oven, stove, or fireplace is not properly venting, and from exhaust leaks in standard home HVAC systems.
For this reason, insurance agents recommend that every home be equipped with multiple carbon monoxide detectors and that the HVAC, gas appliances, and fireplaces are inspected yearly to ensure there is proper exhaust ventilation.
Stay Warm and Safe This Winter
Keeping your home warm and cozy over the winter is important for your health and comfort; however, avoid problems by ;paying attention to these tips from your insurance agency on safe home heating.
Whether you rely strictly on your HVAC, enjoy using a fireplace, or use space heaters at times, there are right and wrong ways to use them.
Home owners insurance agencies recommend avoiding accidental fires, health problems, and injuries by being especially careful with your winter home heating practices!
