Home Heating Safety Tips
Stay safe with these suggestions from W.H. Riley & Son
One thing we definitely want come the wintertime is for our home heating systems do their jobs. That means keeping our homes warm and comfortable all throughout those colder months. This holds especially true here in southeastern Massachusetts where it gets quite cold!
One thing that we definitely don’t want is to have to deal with some sort of home heating emergency. This is no fun at any point during the year, but is even worse during the winter.
Homeowners can help prevent facing issues with their home heating systems by making sure that they are using them safely. How does one do this? W.H. Riley & Son has some tips!
How to stay safe while using your home heating system
In an effort to keep you, your home and your loved ones stay safe all winter long, W.H. Riley & Son has put together the following tips and suggestions:
- Your home should have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on each level and outside every bedroom. These devices should be tested monthly and it is best practice to change their batteries twice a year.
- Any potential sources of ignition should always be kept at least three feet away from your heat source. This goes for space heaters, furnaces, boilers and fireplaces.
- A space heater that is used for temporary or supplemental heat should never be left unattended or left on overnight. Always turn them off before you go to sleep. Plugging them into an extension cord or power strip can cause them to overheat and start a fire so make sure you plug them directly into a wall. Space heaters should also always be placed on a floor and away from water and possible leaks.
- It may sound extreme, but every home should have an escape plan in the event of a fire.
- Keep an eye and ear out for signs that your heating system may be in need of a repair. This can include unusual smells coming from a furnace, abnormal noises, leaks, a lagging thermostat and increased heating bills.
- If you use a wood-burning fireplace for extra heat during the winter don’t forget to have your chimney cleaned annually. This will help clear out any soot that has built up over time.
How W.H. Riley & Son plays a role in your safety
Staying up to date with professional maintenance and cleaning is also extremely important when it comes to home heating safety. A routine service appointment typically entails an inspection of your system’s air filters, fan belt, ductwork and wiring, a thorough cleaning and a test of the exhaust system and built-in safety features.
Annual maintenance appointments also help ensure your heater is working and operating as effectively as possible – something that is extremely helpful once winter rolls around.
This is where W.H. Riley & Son comes in. Our licensed and certified service technicians are available for both servicing and repairs on your southeastern Massachusetts home’s heating system. We also run efficiency tests on your heating equipment to make sure everything is functioning properly.
Contact W.H. Riley & Son today to learn more about the home heating equipment and services we offer throughout southeastern Massachusetts.