Heating Safety: Keep Warm While Keeping Safe

When the temperature outside dips below what's comfortable for any human, the need for modern heating becomes abundantly clear. While this may not be much of a problem for those lucky enough to live in southern, coastal states, everyone else knows too well how frigid a house can get. If you don't have a central electrical system, however, there can be risks associated with getting your house warm. It's important to be aware of these risks. Not so you can constantly worry about what might happen, but so you can take the proper precautions. You can warm your house while keeping safety first.

Space Heating
One of the most popular low cost alternatives to a central HVAC system is the space heater. While it's not going to warm up your entire house (unless you happen to live in a one room shack), it can be fairly effective at keeping you warm while you work on the computer or watch television. Unfortunately, they are not appropriate to use to keep you warm while sleeping. The heaters should be turned off not only when you go to bed, but even when you leave the room. Accidents involving these devices can be costly and it's not worth a house fire to stretch their safe use regulations.

Clearance
One of the most common ways for a heating system to start a fire is for it to catch hold of something set a little too close to the element. A space heater should get its own clearance. You should be especially careful to keep highly flammable things such as paper, furniture, and such away from the device. The same holds true for your fireplace. Sparks can jump out even when you have a screen in place (which many people do not have). Hanging the stockings on the mantle may be a popular tradition, but it could be dangerous.

Carbon Monoxide
If you use a heating system based off a furnace, you need to be aware of the dangers regarding carbon monoxide poisoning. This gas can not only build up and kill you, but you'll have no idea that it is happening. If it occurs while you're sleeping, you won't even get the light headed warning signs that can tell you to get out. For this reason, you need to make sure the system vents to the outside and you should install a couple of carbon monoxide alarms to ensure you have fair warning.