As the winter season continues, you’ll be relying more and more on heating devices in your home. They’re perfect for keeping you cozy and warm, but you do need to exercise caution with them. They can lead to fires in the home, so it pays to take care and follow important heating safety tips.

Read these tips below from the experts, so you can stay safe this winter.

1. Give Heaters Space

If you need a heater to warm up your home, remember to give them enough space. The NFPA report that half of home heating fires occur in December, January, and February. Keep that in mind when you’re using your heater.

There needs to be one meter-free zone around your heater that your kids can’t enter. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from it. Some fires occur because people use the heater to dry their clothes, which is dangerous.

2. Have All Heating Equipment Installed Correctly

If you’re having new heating equipment installed, ensure that you’re using a proper installation service. It’s tempting to try and do it yourself to save money, but this can lead to heating equipment being improperly installed and lead to fires. Engineers will be trained in the proper way to install these devices, so trust them with the task.

3. Clean Your Chimneys 

If you have an open fire, you’ll need to clean your chimney at least once a year. Call in a professional chimney cleaning company to handle this for you. They’ll clean it out, removing debris that can cause a fire hazard when you light your fire beneath it. They’ll also inspect the chimney and recommend any repairs or changes that you need to make.

4. Use Your Fireplace Safely

On the subject of fireplaces, ensure that you’re taking the proper precautions when you’re using them to keep warm. FEMA recommends that you keep a screen in front of the fire, which will allow heat through but stops errant sparks from jumping out and causing fires.

When cleaning out the fireplace after a fire, wait until the ashes are cool before you move them. Place them in a metal container, and keep that container a safe distance away from your home.

5. Install and Test Smoke Alarms

As you’re using more heating appliances, you need to take care when it comes to fire alarms and detection. You should take good care of your smoke alarms all year round, but it’s even more important in winter.

Ensure that you have smoke detectors on all levels of your home, as well as outside all sleeping areas, and test them once a month. Twice a year, change the batteries out to ensure there’s backup power, should you need them.

As well as this, ensure you have a CO2 detector installed in your home. This is especially important if you use portable heaters, as they can potentially release the gas and cause you harm, without you knowing. A detector will go off if this happens, so you can evacuate.

6. Never Leave Heaters Unattended

If you’re using heaters to warm up your home, never leave them unattended. They need to be watched when they’re on, so you can react quickly in the event of a fire. Because of this, you should never leave one unattended. If you’re leaving the room, switch the unit off, and ensure they’re all off when you go to bed. This will also keep you safe in case of a CO2 leak.

7. Never Use the Oven to Heat Your Home

Many people are tempted to use the oven to heat their home up. However, that’s a bad idea as it’s a large fire risk. An oven is not designed for heating, so it shouldn’t be left on for an extended amount of time, or with the door left open. This adds additional risk if you have children or pets in the home.

8. Have Your Heating System Inspected

It’s a very good idea to have your heating system inspected annually, ideally before the cold weather sets in. The engineers who check it will look for any issues that can lead to fires, and put them right before you need the system to be up and running.

As an additional bonus, you’ll see that your energy bills go down when you do this. As the system is being inspected and maintained, it won’t use as much energy as a system that hasn’t been inspected.

9. Don’t Use Extension Cords With Heating Appliances

It’s common to use extension cords to add extra outlets where you need them most in your home. However, they’re really designed to be a temporary measure. You shouldn’t be using them full time, and you certainly shouldn’t use them with heaters.

If you need to use heaters, then place them near outlets so you can plug them right in. If you can’t put heaters in the right spot this way, then you have a couple of options. You can have new outlets installed in the areas you need them, which is a good idea if you need them for other things too. You can also talk to heating engineers, who can update your system to evenly heat your home.

10. If You Smell Gas, Evacuate

If you use gas-burning heaters, keep an eye on them. But if well cared for, they’ll be safe to use. Yet, you always need to be alert to danger. If you smell gas, never try and light the device to check it. Instead, evacuate your home right away and call your local fire department. They will be able to come and make your home safe again. Don’t re-enter until they say it’s safe to do so.

Conclusion

With these heating safety tips, you can keep your home warm, without worrying about the danger of fire that heating devices bring. Be aware of the dangers and put safeguards in place to protect you and your family. If you do this, you’ll be cozy, warm, and safe this winter season.