Safely Warming Up Your House During Harsh Winter Storms

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]We’re sure to have some more winter storms ahead of us. It’s important to know how to keep your home warm – especially if there are power outages – and safe at the same time. We recently talked about deicing your driveway for safety. This is just as important. There are many alternatives to heating your home when winter storms hit, and we’d like to cover some great safety tips from TexasHelp for some of these options.

Some General Safety Points

Make sure there’s no way for children to reach portable heaters, whether electric or fuel powered.
ALL heaters that run on fuel require ventilation. The fumes they give off can be deadly, especially Carbon Monoxide.
Never use the kitchen oven or stove to heat up your home. This is a serious fire hazard.
Keep Space Heaters a long distance away from anything that’s even remotely combustible.
If you choose to use a supplemental portable electric heater, make sure you plug it straight into the wall – never into an extension outlet.
If you’re going to purchase a portable heater, make sure it has what’s called “Tip Switches”. Older portable heaters may not have this. A Tip Switch will shut the mechanism off if the heater (likely designed so stand straight up on rugs) falls over. This could create a fire. A “Tip Switch” is not a full-proof way to keep your space heater from burning your rug, though. It will shut it off, but the heater may still be hot enough to cause combustion.
Never refill a space heater that runs on any sort of fuel while it is still on or hot. Only refuel them outdoors too. Follow instructions on every heater you use.
DO NOT use charcoal (designed for barbeques) indoors – not even in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. It will release odorless, but highly-toxic, carbon monoxide fumes. This is fatal.
Even if you’ve already done a monthly checkup of your smoke alarms, make sure they’re good to go before bringing in any alternative methods of heating your home. Do the same with your carbon monoxide alarm. If you don’t have one, make sure you purchase one with an Underwriter’s Laboratory safety list. Follow manufacturer recommendations for placement in your house.

Heating Sources

Before plugging in, fueling up, or turning on any alternative heating source, make sure it is safe. Don’t use outdated, poorly maintained, misused or damaged heating equipment. Follow these steps:[/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”transparent” down=”15″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]

Wood Stove

Ensure that it’s constructed of solid material, such as steel or cast iron.
Make sure there are no cracks in your wood stove.
Inspect and clean the pipes on an annual basis.
Never use green wood, artificial logs, or trash for fuel. Only use seasoned hardwood.
Keep combustible objects at least three feet away (or more) from your wood stove.

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Electric Space Heaters

Electric Space Heaters might not have an open flame, but this doesn’t take away the fact that they can cause fires. Take the following precautions with Electric Space Heaters.

Only buy Electric Space Heaters with the UL safety listing.
Buy heaters that are equipped with thermostat controls and will shut off if tipped over.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before using your space heater.
Keep Electric Space Heaters 3 feet or more away from anything that is combustible.
Make sure your space heater is placed appropriately, in a low-traffic area where no one can trip over it or its wiring.
When you’re done with your space heater, make sure to turn it off and unplug it. Never leave it unattended.
Make sure you plug your space heater directly into a wall outlet. Do not plug any other appliances in the same outlet.
Do not use an extension cord as this can overheat.
Inspect your space heater for cracks, broken plugs, loose connections, frayed wiring etc. before use.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][vc_single_image image=”20170″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator type=”transparent” down=”15″][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]

Portable Kerosene Heaters

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]These aren’t the best choice for heating your home. Carelessness with refueling, improper storage, and accumulation of indoor pollutants from un-vented systems can cause fires. Make an educated decision if purchasing a portable kerosene heater with these tips:

Check with your local fire department and building inspector (if you live in an apartment) to make sure usage of a portable kerosene heater is allowed.
See if your homeowners insurance will cover fire damage caused by a Portable Kerosene Heater.
Make sure it’s UL approved.
Use only crystal clear K-1 kerosene.
Never fill it with gasoline or camp stove fuel – they may flare up easily. Stick to the instructions.
Make sure never to overfill it.
Only use a portable kerosene heater in a room that is well ventilated.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”20172″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_shadow” qode_css_animation=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator type=”transparent” down=”15″][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]

Fireplaces

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Fireplaces, as wonderful as they are, come with their own safety hazards and precautions too. And there’s a great need for upkeep. Here are some safety tips if you own a fireplace.

Make sure your chimney is inspected/cleaned on an annual basis and checked for cracks/obstructions. This is so important. Using a fireplace that’s not annually inspected can cause roof fires.
Never put trash, paper, or greenwood in your fireplace. These materials can cause heavy creosote buildup, a dark brown or black flammable tar that deposits from smoke onto the walls of the chimney.
Make sure you have glass doors or a metal screen in front of the fireplace to keep burning logs from falling out. These are also important if you have young ones or animals around the house.
Always make sure your fire is put entirely out before you go to bed.

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Generators

Portable generators are often used to restore electricity to portions of a home during power outages and can be extremely beneficial. But, they can also be extremely dangerous if not used properly. Remember these following safety tips if you use a portable generator.

NEVER use a generator indoors or in any space that doesn’t have some sort of ventilation. The fumes alone are bad and their emission is carbon monoxide.
Positions your generator away from your home’s vents, windows, and doors to prevent carbon monoxide from getting into your home.
Make sure your generator is placed somewhere dry, where rain cannot get to it.
It’s best not to use an extension cord with your generator, but if you must, make sure it’s heavy duty and outdoor-rated. Also, make sure your extension cord has no rips or tears in it. Inspect it thoroughly.
Never try to power the house wiring by simply plugging the generator into a wall outlet. This is known as “backfeeding” and it is extremely dangerous. It presents a high risk of electrocution to utility workers as well as neighbors whose houses are served by the same utility transformer as your house. This can also destroy or bypass some of the built-in household circuit protection devices, such as Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters or Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (which help keep your house safe from electrical fire).
Make sure before you refuel your generator, you let it cool off. Spilling gasoline on a hot engine could cause a fire.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure you know how much wattage your generator can accommodate so that you don’t overload it and cause it to malfunction.

Who’s to say if this winter will be a bad one? But just in case we do get hit with another bad winter storm, these tips can truly help you out in keeping your home and family warm.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]