Three Ways To Heat Your Home Safely This Winter

As homeowners find themselves turning on their home heating systems at full blast, thanks to unexpected inclement winter weather that manages to surprise everyone at the beginning of the season (even though it happens every year…) — the main concern has always been how to save the most money on heating costs. In the past few years, there has been increased concern about finding renewable energy systems and home heating options that are also energy efficient and environmentally friendly, in addition to being cost-effective.

But something that gets overlooked all too often is safety — not just the safety of a house itself, but the safety of the residents inside, too. So with that in mind, here are three quick tips to keep in mind, in order to make your home as safe and secure as possible this winter:

1. Although it may be a little late in the season to do this now, it’s always a good idea to take some preventative measures with your home heating system and get it inspected by a professional heating repair company before you turn the system on. By doing this, you’ll make sure that there aren’t any malfunctioning parts in the system that could be dangerous.
   

2. It may sound surprising, but space heaters are often the cause of house fires during the winter, because these space heaters overheat easily if they aren’t being monitored. Another problem is that many people don’t realize how dangerous it is to place outdoor space heaters in enclosed spaces (like a house). These outdoor heaters are fuel-powered, meaning they emit carbon monoxide — an extremely dangerous gas — when they run.
   

3. Additionally, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces will emit more carbon monoxide than other heating sources,. It’s important to make sure that there is adequate ventilation near the stove or furnace, that fireplaces and chimneys are cleaned out completely, and that carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries and are placed around the house. And of course, it never hurts to brush up on the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Now it’s your turn — are there any good tips that we forgot? Be sure to share your own advice in the comments section! Research more here.