With the cold weather we all tend to spend the majority of our time inside trying to stay warm. While sometimes curling up with a blanket and drinking hot cocoa will do the trick, Boehmers/Cronin Emery Home Services by Enercare is here with a few tips on how to stay warm (and safe!) during the cold.
Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Make sure you have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors installed on each floor of your home, particularly near bedrooms, and test them to confirm they are functioning. Since CO cannot be detected because it is odorless and invisible, it’s important that you have functioning CO detectors to make sure you are safe.
Get Your Chimney Inspection
This is the ideal time of year to get the fireplace going, but before you do, be sure you have your chimney cleaned and examined by a professional. The fireplace can be a source of CO if you don’t have it regularly cleaned and maintained.
Be Careful with Space Heaters
Space heaters are generally safe, energy efficient, and an effective way to heat small rooms of your home, but make sure it has been authorized by a recognized testing laboratory and has an automatic shut-off feature. Follow all manufacturer’s instructions and be sure it is placed on a hard, level surface at least 3 feet away from any flammable items.
Furnace Tune-Up
With a Precision tune-up from Boehmers/Cronin Emery Home Services by Enercare in Kitchener, we will perform a safety check of your heating equipment to be sure there are no leaks or CO issues. Along with a heating tune-up, confirm your heating vents are not blocked and that you’re swapping out your air filter every 30 days. This will keep the air flow unrestricted and help avoid allergens from irritating respiratory issues.
If You Need Help Staying Warm, Ask
There are right ways and wrong ways to make sure your home is heated – using the oven, a grill, or a camp stove are all wrong ways. Using these devices to heat your home could result in a fire or a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide. If you need help paying your energy bills, visit NeedHelpPayingBills.com to find a service in Kitchener.
To ensure your home is ready to keep you safe and warm all season long, call Boehmers/Cronin Emery Home Services by Enercare at 519-804-1617 today.