Days are getting longer but we are still far from spring. The price of fuel has many people looking for alternative ways to heat their homes. Fireplaces, wood burning stoves, and space heaters have all gained popularity over the years but each can pose their own safety risk. Here are a few tips, tricks, and ideas to help keep you safe and prevent you from feeling the chill this winter.
Fireplaces/Wood Stoves:
- Use a metal or glass screen in front of your fireplace to prevent embers or sparks from escaping.
- Do not use excessive amounts of paper to build up a roaring fire; it can ignite creosote in the chimney.
- Always follow directions on synthetic logs. Never split one to quicken a fire and do not burn more than one at a time.
- Make sure your wood stove is properly installed, maintained, and are Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed.
- And please remember to have the chimney professionally cleaned every year
Space Heaters:
- Give heaters 3 feet of space on all sides and never place them near anything flammable.
- Make sure there is proper ventilation. Burning fuels like kerosene, coal, or propane produces deadly fumes. Similarly, it is good to invest in a carbon monoxide alarm and install it near the sleeping area.
- Check to be sure that the heater has an emergency shut off in case it’s accidentally knocked over.
- Be very careful when refilling the heater, never do it indoors or when the unit is hot.
- Avoid over filling the tank and only use the fuel recommended for that particular heater.
- And if you’re using an electric heater be careful of the cord which can be a tripping hazard. And never place the cord under a rug or let it get pinched by anything.
Alternative sources of heat are always a good idea to help keep the fuel costs down for your household but safety always needs to be at the forefront of your mind as well. Please be safe and stay warm this winter.
Advertisement
