Now that the outdoor temperatures are falling and winter is on its way, you need to take precautions to protect your home from accidental fires and water damage, and safeguard your family from threats like carbon monoxide (CO) exposure. Following these winter home safety suggestions can help you stay warm and secure all season.

Have the Heating System Serviced

To ensure that your heating system is working reliably and safely throughout the winter, have it inspected and serviced by a certified HVAC technician. The safety-wise tasks a technician performs include cleaning the fuel burner, checking the heat exchanger for damage, testing all safety controls, ensuring proper venting, and checking the wiring and electrical connections.

Be Prepared With Fire Protection

To warn you if a fire occurs, make sure you have a fully-functional, battery-operated smoke detector installed on each floor of your home. It’s also wise to have a multi-purpose ABC fire extinguisher on hand and ensure that every adult household member understands how to use it.

Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide is a lethal gas produced by incomplete fuel combustion in equipment like your gas furnace. It has no smell, color or taste, so a working CO detector is vital to warn you of its presence. To make sure your detectors are functional, install fresh batteries then press the “test” button. If a detector fails to beep when you test it, replace it with a new one.

Store Flammables and Combustibles Safely

To reduce the risk of fire, store flammable materials and combustible products in a location well away from your furnace and other heat-generating equipment and appliances.

Shield Plumbing Pipes From Freezing

Your water lines are vulnerable to freezing and bursting when the outdoor temperature drops below 32 degrees. To safeguard your home against water damage from ruptures, seal any drafts that allow cold air in around your pipes, shut off outdoor faucets and drain the lines, and cover pipes in an unconditioned attic, crawlspace or garage with insulating foam sleeves.

To learn more winter home safety tips, contact the Peachtree City comfort pros at Powers Heating & Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.

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