Heating Fires Flare Up in the Months Ahead
Your heating system is an important part of your home. To ensure it’s ready to keep you and your family cozy when temperatures drop, proper maintenance is important. At Liberty Mutual, we want the best for your family, so we’ve prepared this easy-to-use checklist for getting the most from your home heat sources.
Fireplaces And Wood Stoves
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Have your chimney or flue inspected by a certified professional at least once a year.
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Use a protective screen in front of open fireplaces.
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Keep combustible materials at least three feet away from fireplaces or wood stoves to prevent them catching on fire.
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Never throw liquid fuel, compressed gas canisters or batteries into a fireplace or wood-burning stove.
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Completely extinguish fires before leaving your home or going to bed.
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Place ashes (which can remain hot for several days) into a noncombustible container. Store the container outside and away from combustible materials such as decks and wall siding.
Furnaces
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Have vents, chimneys or flues inspected every year by a qualified service provider.
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Inspect your furnace for damage before firing it up for the first time each year.
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Use caution when extinguishing or relighting pilot lights on gas furnaces.
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If you smell gas, turn off the furnace, immediately leave your home and from a safe place call both the gas company and the fire department.
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Always select a bonded, licensed and insured contractor to service, replace or install your gas or electric furnace.
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Check with local building codes before making any changes to your heating system.
Space Heaters
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Always keep the heater at least three feet from furniture, walls and anything that could ignite from the heat.
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Use only the manufacturer-recommended fuel in your portable heater.
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Never add fuel or “top off” a liquid fuel space heater while it’s in use; always wait until it has cooled completely before refilling, and fill it outdoors.
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Check electric heaters for cord damage, other damage and missing parts before and after each use.
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Keep children and pets away from space heaters at all times.
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Turn off space heaters, unplug them (if applicable) and wait for them to cool before going to bed or leaving the room.
Recalled or Regulated Devices
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Check with a reputable source such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov) to see if your heating source has been recalled or if any safety bulletins have been issued on it.
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Check with your state or local public safety agency for regulations before purchasing or installing any heat source in your home.
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Do not use recalled or illegal devices and follow the disposal or return instructions provided by the manufacturer or your local authorities.
Other Tips
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Never attempt to heat your home with a gas or electric range (oven).
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Use carbon monoxide (CO) detectors throughout your home.
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Test your smoke alarms before cool weather begins, and replace batteries annually. Replace smoke alarms every ten years or immediately if defective.