How Safe Is Your Heating?

The right way to use alternative heating sources when fending off old man winter….

The best defense may be maintenance of your home’s heating system. But, if you decide to give alternative heating a try, make safety a top priority.  The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) suggests: 

• Look for products tested by Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
• Buy models with automatic shut-off features and heat element guards
• Maintain a 36-inch clearance between the heater and combustible materials, such as bedding, furniture, wall coverings or other flammable items. 
• Do not leave a heater unattended.
• Check every electrical cord for fraying and cracking.  If one looks worn, replace it before using.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in several parts of the house.
• Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least twice a year and make sure to test them as well.

Other safety suggestions:

•  Never use a kerosene heater indoors.
• Never use electric or gas stoves (ovens) to heat the home.  They are not intended for that purpose and can cause fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
• If using a wood fireplace, have inspected annually by a professional chimney sweep 
• When using a gas fireplace, keep the glowing embers and logs clean; inspect and clean the air circulation passages and fan; avoid obstructing the vents.

Visit us online at www.tiains.com or contact us at one of our three locations for more information.

Fire Prevention Week 2013

This is national fire prevention week.  There was actually a presidential proclamation declaring this week in 2013.

Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires with heating related fires close behind.  Here are some tips to help prevent and put out fires:

1) Make sure you have a smoke detector in every room of your home, but not in the kitchen
2) Unplug appliances when not in use
3) Don't use metal in the microwave, beware dinnerware sometimes has metal paint on the trim
4) Keep your stove & oven clean and in good repair
5) Be extra careful when cooking with oil or grease - be sure you don't over heat or over fill
     NEVER pour water on a grease fire, use sand, baking soda or a fire extinguisher.
6) Be sure all flammables are kept away from the stove & oven - like pot holders, dish & paper towels
7) Around the holiday, if you have a real tree, water daily and keep several feet from heaters.
8) Be sure your chimney was cleaned before the start of the heating season
9) Have your existing furnace inspected and maintained by a professional regularly

Follow this CHAIN:

CALL 911 for help
HAVE a fire plan in place - arrange meeting place away from the home - and have fire drills
ASK your local fire department for window stickers to alert there are children or elderly in the home
INSPECT your portable fire extinguisher & keep in an easily accessible spot - Every home should have one.
NFPA the National Fire Protection Association has many more tips visit them & make a plan.

We also have more information direct from many of the fire insurance companies we work with.  They want to help you prevent fires.  Visit us on the web at http://www.tiains.com , stop in to one of our three locations or give us a call for more info or to get a free quote for fire insurance.