Furnace Safety Tips for Winter

Winter has officially arrived in Fort Lauderdale, forcing you to run the heater at its highest setting to keep your home warm. Are you sure your furnace, space heater, fireplace and other heating equipment is safe? While vital for staying warm, heating equipment can become a hazard if not used and maintained appropriately. Explore some important heating system safety recommendations to ensure a warm and safe winter.

Knowing the Risks

Because families rely heavily on heating systems during colder months, home fires and heating-related accidents increase this time of year. A few frequent risks include:

Candles and holiday decorations: Winter festivities typically include decorative lights and candles. Although these items make the long winter nights more cozy, they can become fire threats if left unattended or placed near flammable materials.

Generators: Using a generator during a power outage is a good backup plan. On the other hand, improper usage can result in carbon monoxide poisoning, electrical shocks and fires. Ensure these devices are located outside and far from windows or doors.

Heating appliances: Space heaters, furnaces and fireplaces contribute significantly to home fires during the winter. While engineered to function safely, these devices can become risky if they are outdated, malfunctioning or not operated safely.

Lack of ventilation: Improper ventilation can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup, especially from natural gas, propane or oil heaters.

Old wiring: Older homes with antiquated electrical systems may struggle with the demands of today’s heating appliances. When operated beyond its capacity, the wiring may overheat, increasing the likelihood of electrical fires.

Incorrect use of heating devices: Using equipment for unintended purposes, like running the oven to heat your home, or throwing wet socks over a space heater, can be hazardous.

General Safeguards

Observe these safety guidelines in the winter and through the year to keep your home and family safe:

Gas leaks: If you smell a mysterious rotten egg smell, it may be a gas leak. For your protection, act immediately—open windows and doors to ventilate the area, evacuate the area and contact your local gas company and fire department.

Flammable items: Make sure to place anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating sources like furnaces, fireplaces and portable space heaters.

Children’s safety: Educate your kids about the hazards of matches, candles and heating products. Then, establish a “kid-free zone” near open flames and heaters to reduce the chance of accidents. 

Energy safety: Don’t use heating appliances with extension cords or power strips. Also, plug only one high-power-draw device into an electrical outlet at a time. These tips help prevent electrical overloads, which can cause overheating and fires.

Candle safety: Thoroughly watch lit candles and extinguish them before exiting the room or going to sleep.

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide sensors: Install these devices inside your home, especially right by sleeping areas and test them monthly.

Ways to Stay Safe with Heating Systems

Here are the top heating system safety guidelines to keep in mind this winter:

Professional setup: Because a faulty setup can increase the risk of fire, carbon monoxide poisoning and electrical shock, you should always leave furnace installation to an expert. You’ll enjoy peace of mind for many years, knowing your equipment is running the way it is supposed to.

Regular maintenance: Yearly inspections of your heating equipment and chimneys by trained professionals can uncover hidden problems that might not be recognizable to the untrained eye. These visits can find worn-out parts, ventilation issues and potential gas leaks. Routine maintenance also ensures peak efficiency and helps lengthen your system’s life span.

Space heaters: Don’t allow space heaters to run unattended or while you’re in bed. Position these devices on a stable, non-flammable surface and keep anything that could catch fire away from the front, back and sides of the heater.

Fireplaces: Place a metal screen in front of the fireplace to prevent sparks from escaping and igniting nearby objects. Extinguish the flames before leaving home or sleeping. Once it has completely cooled, gather the ashes in a metal container and store them outside a safe distance from your premises.

Choose Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for Heating Service in Fort Lauderdale

As the cold weather gets worse, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to preserve your comfort and protection. Our ACE-certified technicians deliver fast, long-lasting solutions for all your heating needs, with services backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not happy with our work, you can count on us to make it right. In addition to our technical expertise, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is very involved in the local communities we serve and remain devoted to innovation and customer engagement. For help ensuring a worry-free winter, call 954-736-4314 today to set up an appointment with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.