How To Avoid Accidental Heating Fires At Home
Faulty heating equipment is the major cause of home fires in most households. That’s right, statistics show that heating equipment caused about 50,000 fires and 490 deaths between 2012 and 2016. That’s alarming, right? As you prepare to stay cozy and warm during winter, here are simple fire prevention guidelines to keep in mind:
Common heating facts & stats
Currently, space heaters cause roughly 50% of winter fires that result from circuit overloads. Contact and electrical fires are common, but studies show that heating systems can cause burns as well. Fireplaces can also cause winter fires due to flying embers and higher burning temperature. For that reason, you should clean the chimney and fireplace regularly.
Faulty furnaces can easily cause gas leaks that can start home fires. As you well know, natural gas is flammable and might cause explosions and leaks can lead to CO2 poisoning. On the other hand, radiators are vulnerable to overheating, leading to thermal injuries or accidents. Moreover, placing flammable stuff near the radiator can easy cause fire eruption.
How to prevent unnecessary heating fires
For starters, you should upgrade the central heating system as you prepare for winter. Consider installing central heating systems as they are safer. What’s more, this type of heating system isn’t installed in areas where people or pets may come into contact with the unit easily.
More importantly, remember to install CO2 and smoke detectors in your home, too. And if they are malfunctioning or broken, replace them regularly. As a suggestion, you can hire an HVAC professional to clean the chimney. The fireplace doors or screens should be adjusted properly to prevent the fire from coming to contact with flammable items.
Also ensure flammable items are 3-4 feet away from your heating equipment. That includes items such as bedding, drapery, paper items, clothing and gasoline. But if you have to install a supplemental device for heating purpose, plug it into the wall socket directly instead of using an extension cord. Remember to turn all the heaters off before going for a trip.
Heating System Replacement & Repair
Do you want to install a new heating system? Well, having a functional heating system is mandatory – not a luxury. That said, you should find a reliable company to install a high quality HVAC system. Find an experienced HVAC professional to help you find the most suitable heating system for home use.
Conclusion
The only way to prevent accidental heating fires is by servicing your home’s HVAC system regularly. Also keep flammable items away from the unit.
References: HVAC.com, Wallawalla hvac contractor, Safewise