Steamatic Fire Safety: Handling Your Heating System with Care
- Keep all flammable items at least 3 feet away from your heating equipment, whether it be your furnace, space heater, or cookware. Many homeowners keep dish rags too near their stoves, typically hanging from the oven’s handle, and this can be a serious hazard.
- Never use your oven to heat your home. This can be tempting during especially chilly February freezes, but improper oven use is one of the most common causes of house fires, while also taking a toll on your energy bill.
- Resist your DIY urges and hire a qualified professional to install all heating equipment including stationary space heaters, water heaters, and central heating units. At the bare minimum, follow all manufacturer’s instructions precisely.
- Do not forget to turn off your portable heaters when leaving the room, and do not sleep with them on. Find another blanket or two instead.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation when selecting a fuel source for your heating equipment.
- Have your heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually.
- Inspect the walls and ceiling located close to your furnace unit, as well as the areas near your chimney line. If they feel hot to the touch or show any signs of discolouration, you likely need more insulation for your pipes, or do not have enough clearance space. Contact a professional immediately.
