7 Ways to Have a Safe Heating Season
Heating season is here! And often, during the heating season, our customers use space heaters and fireplaces to supplement their heat. Please use these secondary heat sources safely and wisely by following the tips below. Please remember, if you are using a space heater or a fireplace because you aren’t receiving sufficient heat from your boiler or furnace, please contact Parker Oil & Propane right away.
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Check cords on all electrical equipment for cracks and damage.
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Space heaters need space. Portable heaters need a three-foot clearance from anything that can burn and should always be turned off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
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When turning a heating device off, be careful to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. When buying heaters, look for models with automatic shut-off features.
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If your home has a fireplace with glass doors, leave them open when burning firewood to allow proper draught and cleaner burning. Extinguish a fire completely before going to bed.
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Purchase a fire extinguisher and keep it in an easy-to-grab location. An extinguisher labeled “ABC” can be used to fight all three types of fires – ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical.
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Replace expired fire extinguishers. Check the expiration date; if there is none, check whether the pressure gauge needle is in the green area – if not, discard the fire extinguisher at a household hazardous waste site. Used fire extinguishers should always be discarded.
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Test or replace batteries on both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and perform any manufacturer-recommended maintenance according to manufacturer directions. NOTE: November 2, the day we turn the clocks back one hour, is an ideal time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
At Parker Oil & Propane, we offer a variety of auxiliary propane-fired heating appliances, including log heaters, fireplaces and stoves to help keep you warm this fall and winter – and we will instruct you on how to safely use them. Call (800) 486-3146 or (434) 447-3146, or contact us for information.
