JodiAnn Garone

Safety tips for heating your home

As holiday décor is packed away and winter settles in, here are seven safety precautions to remember when heating your home.

1. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and test the batteries monthly. Detectors should be installed generously throughout the home and secured outside every bedroom.
2. Have your fireplace and chimney cleaned and inspected annually by a professional. Glass doors or a metal screen should be placed in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks or hot ash from exiting the hearth.
3. All fireplace ashes should be disposed of in a fire-resistant container and covered it with a lid. Keep the container outdoors and away from the home’s exterior or other possible combustibles.
4. Make sure any portable heaters you employ are equipped with a tip switch. These switches are designed to automatically shut off the heating unit in the event the heater tips over.
5. Follow the recommended safety instructions on all heaters. Heaters that run on fuel should be vented and space heaters usually need a minimum of three feet from any object or person. Never use space heaters to dry clothes or leave on overnight.
6. Ovens and stoves are not to be used to heat your home. They produce fumes and may become fire hazards if they are used as a heat source instead of their intended use of food preparation.
7. If you are using supplemental portable electric heaters, never use an extension cord. Plug them directly into the electrical outlet.

How to prepare for power outages

Extreme weather conditions often cause power outages, often for long stretches of time. Whether you lose power for days, due to weather, or even for just a few hours because of a faulty power line, here are some tips to be fully prepared in emergencies.

Buy emergency supplies BEFORE disaster strikes, when items are easily accessible. Purchase items such as flashlights, matches, batteries, candles, lanterns, and lots of bottled water. Battery-powered space heaters may also come in handy. Consider getting a car cell phone charger to ensure continued battery life in your phone. Visit a camping store for food supplies in addition to your local grocery store for canned goods and non-perishable food. Don’t forget a manual can opener and disposable plates and utensils. Basic tools, extension cords, blankets and extra batteries should be included in your emergency supplies. Place all these items in a conveniently located waterproof container. Include a list of emergency phone numbers, such as your utility company, local fire and police department.