Safely Keeping Your Home Warm This Winter

With the cold weather season upon us, home across the nation are beginning to turn

off the air conditioner and swamp coolers and turn on the furnaces and stoking the fires. Many homeowners dont stop to think about the safety of heating their home during these cold months, but there is much to consider. Young children are especially at risk if adults carelessly bring unsafe heating equipment into the home, or fail to properly teach their children the safety of being around heat and flame.

Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector

Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer because its fumes often go undetected until they build up to deadly levels. Entire families have become victims while sleeping at night. The fumes cause tiredness, and then unconsciousness. About the only way to escape its deadly effect is to install a carbon monoxide detector. It will pick up levels that are far below toxic so that you are aware of any leaks long before you start to feel the effects, at which point you are probably going to be unaware anything is happening. You may not think that carbon monoxide poisoning can happen to you, but it is as highly recommended as a smoke alarm. Why risk your life?

Use Space and Floor Heaters Carefully

Electric central air, propane and other gas heating can be so expensive. Many homeowners tackle this problem by turning off the thermostat and plugging in a space heater. Some people are still using heaters that have long been banned or deemed unsafe by various safety agencies. Each year, too many babies and young children are seriously burned or even killed by space and floor heaters. Some irresponsible parents even bring outdoor barbecues or other heating elements indoors in order to facilitate cheap winter heating. Do not risk your childrens lives by trying to save a buck or two. If you use indoor space heating, be sure to check that the unit is rated for indoor use, and keep it in a location away from the reach of young kids.

Fireplace Safety Precautions

Traditional wood fireplaces can be an inexpensive source of heat, especially for small to mid-size homes. One cord of wood at under a couple hundred dollars can last an entire winter, and considering that many people get their wood for free by cutting it down themselves, this type of heating can be very affordable. However, fireplaces can be dangerous to keep going, even if a woodstove is installed. Be sure to teach your children fire safety and caution them against the heat of a woodstove. For open flames, be sure to keep a safety gate or guard up to prevent small children from reaching or falling into the fire. Children do not need to learn what hot vs. cold is by getting literally burned.

by: Joe Cline

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