We know a thing or two about being prepared in Florida. In the winter months, that looks like making sure whatever you use to heat your home can do it safely.
If you use electrical heating equipment like portable heaters or a heat pump, there are a few things you should know before putting them to use.
9 Electrical Heating Safety Tips
Follow these heating safety tips to keep your home and loved ones safe and warm this winter.
For heat pumps:
• Make sure filters and vents have been cleaned and/or replaced before use.
• Keep flammable materials several feet away from the area around the pump.
• Ensure your electrical panel is up-to-date. If you’ve expanded your home or added heat to a room, this will increase the load on your electrical panel. A licensed electrician can ensure it is in proper working order.
For electric space heaters/portable heaters
• Keep flammables and small children at least three feet away from the heater.
• Do not use a space heater in bathrooms or areas where it could come into contact with water.
• Do not cover the space heater’s electrical cord with a carpet or rug.
• Turn off space heaters when you leave the house.
• Do not plug your heater into a power strip or extension cord. Always plug it directly into an outlet.
• Have a qualified electrician update your outlets if the plug for the heater easily falls out of the outlet.
Before you switch on the heat, check your early warning system in case of emergencies.
We all hope our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors never get used, but it’s nice to know they are there. Be sure that you are checking these detectors at least once a month.
If you don’t yet have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home, consider installing some if you use any appliance or heater that burns fuel. Carbon monoxide is odorless and can build up to toxic levels, even from fireplaces. The devices are easily available in stores and online.
Be sure to contact our experienced technicians for hassle-free installation of your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.
