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Home Safety

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Safety Proofing > Heating Safety > Electricity > Home Security > Insurances

Heating Safety

Portable heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces are a convenient way of providing heating solutions. Simple to use, they will provide good service. However, as a source of heat they can quickly become a danger if not used and maintained correctly.

These simple tips will keep you both warm and safe.

Use portable heaters in well-ventilated rooms only.
Turn off portable heaters before going to bed.
Always refill the fuel tank of portable heaters outdoors.
Place portable heaters well away from curtains, bedding, furniture and other easily flammable items.
Have furnaces, chimneys and wood stoves cleaned annually.
Replace your filters at least yearly or as directed by the manufacture.
Never leave a fireplace or woodstove unattended.
Check the venting system - soft, rusted, or broken vent piping can release unwanted combustion products indoors such as carbon monoxide. This tasteless, colorless, odorless gas can be very harmful to the health of anyone in the home and possibly deadly. Read more about Carbon Monoxide.
Keep a clear area around the furnace. This will reduce the likelihood of a fire starting next to your furnace due to combustibles being stored too close.
Buy only approved heaters and follow the manufacturers' directions.

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