The winter months are cold, icy, and filled with problems.
- The roads are always a mess and the kids complain about the cold air and lack of places to play.
Winter is easily the worst time during the year for house fires. Home fires caused by faulty heating equipment are certainly one of the biggest issues that homeowners face each year. There are around 300,000 house fires each winter and the damage from those fires can cost billions of dollars. Space heaters and fireplaces are two of the worst problems for house fires, but furnaces and stoves can also be dangerous. There are several ways to keep your home and your family safe during the cold, winter months. It’s important that you have a licensed HVAC technician inspect the furnace and service the ductwork. The furnace should have a clean filter every month and the system machinery should be cleaned and serviced. The chimney should be cleaned and cleared of creosote and soot. If you use the chimney and fireplace frequently, you may consider using a chimney sweep every season. Space heaters account for almost three-quarters of fire-related deaths in our country. Space heaters should never be left unattended and they should always be placed on a non flammable surface like tile. Space heaters should never be placed near bedding, curtains, or anything else that is flammable. There are a lot of dangers in our home and it’s important to be safe. If you follow these important instructions, then you can virtually eliminate most of the risks each winter.