8 Home Heating Safety Tips to Prevent Fires

At Howard Air, we want all of our customers to be not only comfortable, but also safe. While everyone wants to save money on heating bills, it is also a high priority to ensure that families are safe. When the weather outside gets chilly and home heating becomes necessary, we have several home heating tips for you to keep in mind in order to keep your family both warm and safe.

The two key things to keep in mind for home heating safety:

• Routine maintenance and regular inspections can prevent the possibility of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Read our tips to learn how to protect your family from potential hazards related to the heating systems in your home.

Home Heating Safety Tips

We have outlined eight tips to ensure that your Phoenix, Arizona homestays are warm without causing any harm to people or property.

1. Perform Routine Maintenance

Even if you have a professional check your heating system before the season begins, there are a few things you will need to do to keep your heating system running safely. Check your furnace filter regularly and replace it every 1 to 3 months, depending on how often you use the heating and what type of filter you use. Read the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the optimal frequency.

When filters become dirty, they restrict the airflow, placing unnecessary strain on your equipment. Your system then has to work harder, reducing its efficiency and longevity. It will operate less effectively but cost you more. Changing the filter is an easy, straightforward way to help maintain your heating unit.

2. Schedule Regular Inspections

When you have a damaged or outdated heating system, it can disperse dust, mold, and pathogens throughout your home. We recommend that you have a qualified professional come to your home once a year to clean, inspect and maintain your home heating equipment. Heating maintenance inspections keep your home safe during the cooler months when you are running your heater, and they also help your unit run more efficiently in order to save you money in the long run. Have a qualified professional check your unit once a year to:

• Prevent breakdowns
• Decrease health risks
• Save money on your energy bills
• Extend the life of your HVAC system

3. Keep HVAC Units Free From Clutter & Debris

Keep boxes and other things away from your heating unit. You want to prevent debris and clutter from getting too close to the heater and restricting adequate airflow. Flammable materials kept too close to your furnace can start a fire. Keep paint, trash, and other substances away from your heating system.

4. Follow These Space Heaters Safety Tips

Space heaters are a great way to keep warm when there’s a chill in the air, but these devices can be dangerous if not handled properly. Take the time to understand how to safely operate your space heater to ensure your family’s safety. Remember to:

• Turn off your heaters when you go to bed or leave the house.
• Keep children away from the units at all times.
• Ensure there are no loose or flammable materials within three feet of your heaters.
• Do not use power strips, extension cords, or outlets with multiple other items plugged into them. Overloaded outlets can overheat and cause fires.

5. Use Your Fireplace Safely

There’s nothing better than a warm fire on a cold day, but fireplaces may pose dangers if you do not take proper precautions:

• Place a sturdy screen around your fireplace to protect your family from sparks and prevent little ones and pets from getting too close to the fire.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the same room as the fireplace so you can put a fire out quickly if necessary.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Have a professional technician clean and inspect your chimney once a year.
• Do not remove ashes from your fireplace until they cool completely.

6. Test Your Smoke Alarms

When you use heating methods more often, remember to test your smoke alarms each month. Ensuring that your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms work correctly is an essential aspect of home heating safety. Alarms can alert you to possible dangers from fire or dangerous gases and give your family enough warning to keep them safe.

7. Do Not Use Your Oven For Heating

Never heat your house with your stovetop or oven. Not only is this an inefficient method, but it can also release carbon monoxide into your home. The design of your kitchen appliances does not incorporate a function to serve this purpose. Using it in this way can have harmful consequences.

8. Take the Necessary Safety Precautions

If there is a gas smell in your home, do not light your gas heater. Turn off your furnace and leave your property immediately. Then call the gas company or local fire department. The smell could indicate a potential gas leak, which could pose a severe danger to your home and family.

Learn How To Prevent a House Fire

When the temperatures dip, you want to keep your Phoenix, Arizona, home warm and cozy. Following our tips for scheduling regular maintenance, taking adequate safety precautions, and ensuring proper use of your heating units and systems help prevent possible fires and keep your family safe from harm.

At Howard Air, our technicians provide top-quality HVAC service to make sure your heating system works properly. Our HVAC experts dedicate their time and energy to ensuring you are 100% satisfied. 

Contact us if you have any questions about the safety of your heating system. We want you and your family to stay warm and safe all winter long!