Home safety is a priority all year long; however, during the winter season, concerns for home safety often increase, as many homeowners operate a gas-powered furnace and homes tend to be closed up, with less access to fresh air.
Depending on the equipment and systems you have in your home, a home safety plan should include the following factors:
- Using carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Install at least one detector in your home, located near the bedroom area. If your home has more than one level, install a CO detector on each floor. If your home has more than one sleeping area, install a device near each one. To ensure maximum protection, test the devices monthly, and change their batteries annually.
- Checking smoke alarms. Your home likely has at least one smoke alarm. To maximize safety, install at least one an alarm on each floor of your home, as well as close to cooking areas. Checking that smoke alarms are operational is imperative: Change the batteries once a year, and test the devices monthly to ensure they’re operational.
- Maintaining a fireplace. Whether you have a gas- or wood-burning fireplace or space-heating stove, ensuring home safety involves scheduling an annual maintenance appointment for the fireplace or stove. This service keeps the fireplace in good working condition, and the technician will inspect the system’s ignition, combustion venting and draw, along with other factors.
- Cleaning the chimney. If your home heating system uses the chimney, it’s necessary to ensure that it’s operational and safe. Professional inspection is best to promote proper chimney operation, safe venting of combustion gases, and cleanliness to prevent fire hazards.
- Following best practices for natural gas safety. Equipment in your home that burns natural gas should operate without experiencing any problems; however, for optimal home safety, homeowners should have these systems checked every year to promote natural gas safety within the home, preventing gas leaks and other problems that stem from equipment malfunction.
If you need to develop a home safety plan, or would like to schedule maintenance service or a safety inspection, please contact us today at Energy-1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide quality HVAC services to homeowners in Erie, Lorain and Cuyahoga counties.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about home safety precautions and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area