Safe Home Heating

electric heater control closeup

Home heating and Safe HVAC use in an elderly home. (Photo Credits)

Safety during the winter is important especially for older property owners. They have a specific set of risks and vulnerabilities that are important to address in order to prevent heating injuries and home fires.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International came up with a guide to ensure safe HVAC use in older people’s homes. Plumbing Association of San Diego

“Colder winter weather increases the likelihood of heating related fires. These fires are the second leading cause of fire deaths among older adults.  Keep your home safe and warm all year long with these safety tips.

Heating Safety — Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, space heater, fireplace or wood stove. Use products only for their intended purposes.  Cooking stoves should not be used for heating the home, and space heaters are not for drying wet clothes.”

Read the rest of the pointers here.

Elderly Safety in a Heated Home

The Canada Safety Council also gave warnings as well as safety pointers for senior residents. A/C and HVAC  

“Have the furnace and chimney inspected by a professional prior to the start of winter. Keep newspapers, rags, and other combustible materials away from the furnace, hot water heater, or space heater. Keep flammable materials, such as curtains or furniture, at least three feet from space heaters. Watch for electrical overload signals such as dimming lights when a heating appliance goes on; call a qualified electrician if this occurs. Stress that the oven should never be used as a heater if the house feels too cold or the furnace goes off.”

Check out the rest of the materials here.

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The Energy Department meanwhile cautioned against the use of space or portable heaters especially in the rooms of elderly people who may feel colder than younger people.

“Safety is a top consideration when using space heaters. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires every year are associated with the use of space heaters, resulting in more than 300 deaths. In addition, an estimated 6,000 people receive hospital emergency room care for burn injuries associated with contacting the hot surfaces of room heaters, mostly in non-fire situations.”

Check out the whole article here.

To ensure safe HVAC Use consult a licensed HVAC Contractor for checking, maintenance, and safety work in all heating, Ventilation and air conditioning fixtures around the home.

Diamond Ace Contractors

5052 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92117

(888) 231-1086

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