After months of heating our homes through Alaska's long, cold winter, now is the perfect time to check that everything works safely. Your heating system has been working hard, and a little attention now can prevent fires and keep you warm through the rest of the winter and into spring.
Wood stoves and fireplaces need regular cleaning to work safely. Creosote builds up inside the chimney when you burn wood. This black tar-like substance is dangerous because it can catch fire. If you've been using your wood stove or fireplace all winter, your chimney probably needs cleaning soon. A chimney fire can spread quickly and destroy your home. Call a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean your chimney before it becomes a problem.
Check the area around your wood stove or fireplace, too. Keep furniture, curtains, and anything that can burn at least three feet away. Look at the floor under your stove. The protective pad should cover the entire area and show no cracks or damage. Replace it if needed. Empty the ashes into a metal container with a lid and store it outside, away from your house. Ashes can stay hot for days and start fires if not handled carefully.
If you heat with oil or propane, your furnace also needs attention. Change or clean your furnace filter every month during the winter. A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder and can cause it to overheat. Look around your furnace for anything stored too close. Keep the area clear of boxes, cleaning supplies, and other items. Schedule a professional inspection if you haven't had one this heating season. Your fuel company often provides this service or can recommend qualified technicians. Doing this now means you can start
Space heaters provide extra warmth but cause many home fires each winter. Turn off space heaters when you leave a room or go to bed. Keep them on flat, stable surfaces where they won't tip over. Nothing should be within three feet of your space heater, including blankets, papers, and furniture. Never use extension cords with space heaters because they can overheat. Plug heaters directly into wall outlets. If your space heater is old or damaged, replace it with a newer model that shuts off automatically if it tips over.
Electric blankets and heating pads also need checking. Look for frayed cords, dark spots, or any damage. Don't fold electric blankets when storing them because this can damage the wiring inside. Never use electric blankets that are more than ten years old.
Your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are your first warning of problems. Test them monthly by pushing the test button. Replace batteries twice a year. If your alarms are more than 10 years old, replace the entire unit. Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because you cannot see or smell it. Any home with fuel-burning appliances needs working carbon monoxide alarms.
For more information about heating safety, contact your HVAC service company or the local fire department. Many fire departments offer free home safety inspections and can answer your questions. The National Fire Protection Association website (www.nfpa.org) also provides helpful safety tips designed for seniors.
Taking care of these tasks now keeps you safe and warm as winter winds down.
Christian M. Hartley is an Alaska resident with three decades of public safety and public service experience. He is the public safety director of the City of Houston and serves on many local and state workgroups, boards and commissions related to safety. He lives in Big Lake with his wife and their three teenage sons.
