With the holidays just around the corner, home heating safety concerns are important to keep in mind. Heater-related accidents and fires most often happen from November to February. Data from the National Fire Protection Association shows 46% of all home heating fires take place during this timeframe. And during the holidays, HVAC heating systems cause 12% of home fires.
Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating professionals want to make certain your family’s holiday season is HVAC safe and trouble-free. That’s why we’re sharing some safety tips from our expert team.
Check Around Heating Vents
Heated air blowing from a heating system vent can cause a fire if it’s in close vicinity to combustible materials such as holiday trees, decorations, wrapped gifts, home furnishings, or pet bedding. During the holiday season, walk around to locate your home’s heating vents to check that there’s plenty of room for the heated air to circulate.
Check Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Once a fire begins, it can spread shockingly fast. Test all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and change out batteries yearly. If your home uses natural gas, carbon monoxide detectors can alert you if there are potentially life-threatening levels of gas inside your house.
Change Air Filters
HVAC air filters clean the air that passes through your home’s air ducts. Dirty and clogged air filters can dramatically reduce your home’s indoor air quality. Heating systems that are running excessively due to blocked air filters are more prone to failure. If the air filter is clogged, dusty, molding, or torn, replace it with a new filter. Air filters should be checked at least monthly during the holiday season for excessive buildup if you have pets or family members with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory diseases.
Heating Tune Up
Fires and carbon monoxide leaks can all cause serious accidents and even death. These often happen due to system malfunctions from poorly maintained furnaces, heat pumps, or other home heating systems. One thing you can do to minimize the risk of fires related to home heating equipment is to schedule an HVAC system tune up. Regular tune ups ensure your system is ready for holiday guests and cooler weather.
Schedule an Appointment with Bruce’s
Want to learn more about heating system safety and how to keep the heat running smoothly all holiday season long? Give your expert technicians at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating a call today at 480-968-5652 to schedule an appointment. We’re available evenings, weekends, and holidays.
