Home Heating Safety Tips for Fall and Winter

How to Safely Heat Your Home in WinterThe cold months are coming, and in the mountains of Western North Carolina, that means temperatures can get quite chilly.

Thank goodness for home heating systems! They keep your home nice and warm so that you and your family don’t suffer from the cold. Although home heating systems are designed to be safe, there are a few things you should keep in mind this cold season when heating your home.

Keep flammable items at least 3 feet away from heating sources

It is important to be very conscious of what you allow near your heating sources. Things like paper, clothes, towels, wood, rugs, sheets, and other objects that easily catch fire should be kept a safe distance (at least 3 feet is recommended) from heating sources like your furnace, fireplace, space heater, or stove. The danger of one of these objects catching fire and causing major damage to your home is too high to risk.

Turn off heating sources when you are away from home

While it might seem like a great idea to keep your home warm while you are away, there can be much danger in leaving heat sources on while you are unable to pay attention to them. Yes, it is really nice to come home to a cozy warm house after being out all day, but the risk of accidentally starting a fire is too great.

Use proper precautions when using a live fire

Using a gas or wood fireplace is one of the most enjoyable ways to keep your home warm and cozy when it’s cold out. The organic heat, the dancing flames, and the soft crackle all provide a relaxing ambiance to your home. But it is extremely important to take the proper precautions when heating your home this way.

Make sure you use a glass panel or a metal fire screen that can keep the flames contained. One spark escaping from your fireplace could be enough to cause serious damage to your home. Logs could also become dislodged as they burn and roll out of your fireplace.

Have your heating system inspected

Finally, it is a good idea to have a professional come out to your home and inspect the heating system you are using. If you’re heating your home with a furnace, boiler, or heat pump system, you should call your local HVAC professionals and have them inspect and clean your system.

The professional technicians at Mountain Heating & Cooling do the highest quality work and provide peace of mind when it comes to your home heating system. Click here to schedule your online service now! Or feel free to give us a call at any time!