Heating Equipment Safety Tips

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know? Heating equipment is the second-leading cause of U.S. house fires. Also, December, January, and February are the leading months for home heating fires. With this in mind as we are experiencing these colder months, and using different types of heating equipment in our homes, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind to help reduce your risk of a heating-related fire. 

• Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from heating equipment., like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater. Have a three-foot "kid-free" zone around open fires and space heaters.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container a safe distance away from your home. 
• Remember to turn portable heaters off and unplug them when leaving the room or going to bed. 
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters, or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer's instructions. 
• Test smoke alarms monthly. 

If your residence does happen to suffer fire damage, contact SERVPRO of Jonesboro at (870)934-0501 to help make it “Like it never even happened.”