As temperatures drop, you may be tempted to seek an alternative heat source to stay warm in your home.
Follow these tips to keep you and your family safe while you stay warm.
SPACE HEATERS:
- According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, space heaters are responsible for more than 25,000 residential fires every year, resulting in more than 300 deaths. If you rely on a portable heater, it’s important to make safety a priority. Following are tips for operating a space-heater safely.
- Never leave a space heater unattended or alone with young children and pets.
- Place space heaters on level, hard, nonflammable surfaces.
- Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from combustible materials, such as furniture, bedding, and curtains.
- Don’t plug another electrical device or an extension cord into the same outlet as a heater because it can cause overheating.
FIREPLACES:
- Nothing is quite as cozy as a log in the fireplace on a cold night, but it can also be a hazard if not operated properly. Familiarize yourself with the appropriate safety procedures before attempting to start a fire.
- Keep flammable materials away from fireplaces and put a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening. Never leave a fire burning when you go to bed or leave the house.
- Make sure the damper or flue is open so that the smoke and gasses from the fire vent properly.
- Have your chimney inspected and cleaned every year.
CARBON MONOXIDE:
- Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced from burning fuel and can be fatal. Protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning by installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
- Place carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas to wake you if an emergency occurs while you’re asleep. As is the case with your smoke detector, you should replace the batteries every six months.
- Make sure that fuel-burning appliances— such as gas furnaces, stoves and water heaters—are installed properly and are well-maintained as they can produce high levels of carbon monoxide.
- NEVER use cooking devices, such as ovens or stoves, to heat your home. Also don’t use generators, propane heaters, barbecues or charcoal indoors as they generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
A HELPFUL REMINDER: As of 2011, all California single-family homes are required to have carbon monoxide detectors.
Space heaters use more electricity to heat the house than gas furnaces. But the Sheriff of Nottingham doesn’t want us using gas. Go figure.
By Sheriff of Nottingham, do you mean that same greasy headed, smarmy snake who dines at The French Laundry, and sees his oily self as President?