Selective Insurance Social
  • Business
  • Auto
  • Home
  • Digital Toolbox
    • LinkedIn Best Practices
  • Flood
    • Hurricane Preparedness
  • Infographics
  • Prep Guides
    • Coronavirus Information
    • Spring Maintenance Guide
    • Fire Prevention & Safety
    • Winter Preparation For Your Home
    • Winter Preparation For Your Business
    • Winter Preparation For Your Vehicle
    • Hurricane Preparation

Safety Tips for Heating Your Home

1/4/2018

 
Share this article:
In the interest of keeping you toasty and safe this winter, here are safety tips for each of the five common ways ways of heating a home.
In the interest of keeping you toasty and safe this winter, here are safety tips for each of the five common ways of heating a home.

Electric space heaters
Electric space heaters cause the majority of fatal house fires. December-February are the leading months for home heating fires. 

Do not leave an electric space heater unattended. If you are using an extension cord make sure it is rated for the wattage the heater draws. This information is normally printed on the cord itself and the information plate on the heater.

Kerosene heaters
The biggest dangers from kerosene heaters lie in two areas. The first is that many accidental fires are started from fuel being spilled while the heater is still hot or burning. To reduce the chance of this happening, be sure the heater is off and has had time to cool before fueling. Clean up any spills immediately. 

The second concern is that kerosene heaters consume oxygen and can produce carbon monoxide and other deadly fumes. They should only be used in well-ventilated areas. Drowsiness and lethargy are early signs of asphyxiation. If you feel woozy while using a kerosene heater, get fresh air immediately.

Wood stoves
A wood fire can warm a home in more ways than one, but is not without dangers. Whether you are using a woodstove or fireplace for heat, be sure you know what precautions to take. Don't leave a fire unattended, do not put combustible materials close to the fire, and discard all ashes outside in a metal container with a lid to avoid the risk of causing fires.

A properly designed and installed fireplace or woodstove should not let smoke into your home. If you smell smoke, it means your unit is not drafting properly and could present a danger of asphyxiation. You should call a certified technician to check it immediately.

Oil and gas furnaces
Furnaces and boilers are not only the most common ways people heat their homes; they are also among the safest. However, if  you smell fuel or see soot, your furnace unit needs servicing.

The primary danger of oil and gas furnaces lies in fumes or carbon monoxide building up and leading to asphyxiation. Ironically, as homeowners have become more astute about winterizing their homes to reduce air leaks and heat loss, this problem has become more prevalent due to a lack of ventilation.

Do not place combustible objects near a furnace, vents or radiators, since heat can present a fire hazard. Don't restrict airflow to your unit as it can affect the burn efficiency and could heighten the risk of asphyxiation.

Heat pumps
Heat pumps typically are considered the safest way to heat a home. They produce no fumes. And their safety features mean there is almost no chance of their starting a fire. They may not be quite as economical as other forms of heating, but their safety features make them a top choice.

Heat pumps do rarely cause “dirty sock syndrome” due to bacterial or fungal growth. This problem usually is evidenced by a musty or “locker room” smell. To minimize this risk, be sure to keep filters clean and have your coils cleaned at least once a year.

Beyond this, common-sense measures include keeping vents and registers cleared of objects. Restricting airflow can cause the unit to malfunction and could possibly lead to a fire hazard.

No matter how you are heating your home this winter, make sure you put safety first. Click here to read more home safety tips and articles.  


Related Articles

Winter can be very tough on a home, especially if you have not taken the necessary steps to prepare for the harsh weather that is right around the corner.
SELECTIVE'S WINTER PREP GUIDE FOR YOUR HOME
Let's take a look at some of the inherent threats snowmelt presents from a flooding standpoint, and then how to mitigate those risks proactively.
THE DANGERS OF SNOWMELT AND FLOODING
Space heaters may seem like an excellent solution. But it is vital to use them safely and know the risks.
4 TIPS FOR SPACE HEATER SAFETY


Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    Auto
    Business
    Flood
    Home

Picture
© 2020 Selective Insurance Group, Inc.
User Agreement
​Community Guidelines
​
AdChoices
CCPA Request 
Privacy
Contact
Visit our main web site at: selective.com or follow us:

© 2020 Selective Ins. Group, Inc., Branchville, NJ. Products vary by jurisdiction, terms, and conditions and are provided by Selective Ins. Co. of America and its insurer affiliates.
Details at selective.com/about/affiliated-insurers.aspx
Picture
Picture
  • Business
  • Auto
  • Home
  • Digital Toolbox
    • LinkedIn Best Practices
  • Flood
    • Hurricane Preparedness
  • Infographics
  • Prep Guides
    • Coronavirus Information
    • Spring Maintenance Guide
    • Fire Prevention & Safety
    • Winter Preparation For Your Home
    • Winter Preparation For Your Business
    • Winter Preparation For Your Vehicle
    • Hurricane Preparation