The Santa Monica Fire Department would like to remind residents about some safety tips when it comes to heating homes during cold weather. Warming the house may seem innocent enough, but it can have some serious consequences. Faulty or misused heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January and February.
To avoid any mishaps SMFD offers the following tips to keep residents safe and warm when the weather outside is frightful: • Make sure supply and return vents, radiators and baseboard heating units are not obstructed by furniture, appliances or other objects and that air can flow freely to and from them. This will maximize the efficiency of your system and help distribute warm air throughout the room. • Keep clothes, furniture, and curtains 36 inches away from portable heaters and other heating producing equipment. • Do not use your oven to heat your home. • Make sure fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside, that the venting is kept clear and unobstructed, and that the exit point is properly sealed around the vent. These measures will make sure deadly carbon monoxide does not build up in your home. • Have your heating system maintained and serviced according to manufacturer’s instructions (usually once a year). Dirty filters, coils, and fans reduce airflow throughout the system. Scheduling your service in the early fall when technicians are not as busy will probably save you money as well.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 20, 2007. Read the original PDF.