How to Get Ahead of the Winter Freeze
It’s never too late to ready your home for the heating season that’s now upon us. By using the checklist below, you can have your home in great shape and all of your equipment operating at its maximum level of performance which is sure to help you save money on your heating bill and to keep your loved ones protected. Be sure to check off each step as you make the effort to ensure the safety and security of your family by maintaining the proper maintenance on all of your home’s heating tools.
? Have your furnace inspected and serviced by a well-trained professional before the heating season begins. If you haven’t done this step by this time in the winter, it’s still not too late; call a trusted expert to come to your home to make sure that all parts are working as they were designed.
? Make sure that your chimneys and vents are cleaned and inspected for creosote build-up. This is the leading cause of chimney fires and can easily be prevented with a service call by a professional.
? Keep the wood for your fireplace or wood stove dry and make sure that you only use seasoned wood.
? Use only a metal or heat-tempered glass for a fireplace screen; it should be in good condition and securely placed in front of the fireplace.
? Use a covered metal container in which to dispose the ashes from your fireplace or stove. Keep the container at least ten feet from your home or any other type of structure.
? Keep children at least three feet away from your fireplace, wood stove, oil stove, or space heaters.
? Use only portable heaters that have an automatic shut-off.
? Plug your portable heaters directly into an outlet instead of an extension cord and make sure that they are at least three feet away from combustible materials.
? Test your smoke alarms regularly to make sure that they are working properly. You should have alarms on every level of your home, inside you bedroom, and outside each sleeping area of the residence. Explore the option of having all of your smoke alarms interconnected so that when one alerts they all will alert.
? Test your carbon monoxide alarms to ensure that they are also working as designed. Each of these devices should be located outside the bedrooms of your home on every level of the house.
By using this handy checklist, you can keep the equipment in your home operating properly and those whom you love safe, secure, and ready to begin a New Year.
