By Fay Abrahamsson, Courier Senior Staff
Writer:
The good news is the
cost of home heating oil is down on average $1.65 from earlier this year. The
bad news is that for many, the cost of everyday household expenses such as
groceries keep rising.
Since surviving a
cold winter will be a challenge, many residents may resort to alternative
heating methods to save money, said Guilford Fire Department Assistant Chief
Wayne Vetre.
According to Vetre,
whatever method you choose to heat your home, there are certain precautions and
preventive measures that must be done to insure the safety of the house or
apartment, and its occupants.
Vetre said that it’s
important to always follow the manufacturers’ directions to operate the heating
source whether it is a wood stove, oil furnace, or electric space heater.
“Make sure the
device is UL listed and installed by a professional,” said Vetre.
He also recommends a
schedule of maintenance for all heating sources, preferably annually.
“Prevention is a key
to survivability,” said Vetre.
With many different
heating devices on the market, Vetre is worried that homeowners may think about
price first and safety second.
Homeowners should be
aware that if they choose ventless appliances, these appliances will consume
the oxygen in the home, said Vetre.
Vetre recommends
that, prior to the purchase of a ventless appliance, the consumer checks that
the device is equipped with an oxygen depletion detector.
Carbon monoxide is a
dangerous by-product of any fuel-burning appliance, especially since you cannot
smell it, taste it, or see it–but it can kill you.
“The Guilford Fire
Department recommends both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in the
home,” said Vetre.
Carbon monoxide is
produced by the incomplete combustion of the fossil fuels–gas, oil, coal, and
wood used in boilers, engines, oil burners, gas fires, water heaters, solid
fuel appliances, and open fires.
Dangerous amounts of
carbon monoxide can accumulate when, as a result of poor installation, poor
maintenance, or failure or damage to an appliance in service, the fuel is not
burned properly.
When rooms are
poorly ventilated, the carbon monoxide is unable to escape.
In today’s world of
improved insulation in homes and double-glazing on windows, it has become
increasingly important to install a carbon monoxide detector.
Electric space
heaters, which do not burn fossil fuels, have their own set of safety concerns.
“Follow the
manufacturers’ directions, paying particular attention to the location of the
space heater,” said Vetre. “Keep the airspace clear and do not place the unit
near combustibles such as drapes, curtains, blankets, and bedding.”
In addition, it’s
wise to never overload your home’s circuits, said Vetre. Most circuits can
handle a space heater only. Adding a hair dryer or curling iron to this circuit
could cause a fire.
Look for changes in
an outlet’s condition over time, added Vetre, such as it becoming overheated.
Unlike the above
heat sources, which require special consideration to stay safe, Vetre says that
some heaters simply cannot be considered safe.
“The Guilford Fire
Department cannot condone the use of kerosene heaters,” Vetre noted, saying
that not only are they very dirty and emit a large amount of soot, they reduce
the oxygen level in a home significantly.
The Guilford Fire
Department conducts inspections of wood and pellet stoves, for example, which
are often required by the homeowner’s insurance company.
“We want everyone in
Guilford to
have a safe and warm winter,” said Vetre.
Home Heating Safety
Tips from the Guilford
Fire Department
• Make sure your
home has adequate smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Change the batteries on
both twice a year.
• Have your heating
appliances maintained and checked annually by a licensed company, installed by
a licensed professional, and inspected by the Guilford Fire Department.
• Have flues and
chimneys inspected and cleaned each year.
• Never leave a fire
in a fireplace unattended.
• Make sure you
obtain any building permits for changes or additions in your heating system
such as a new stove or chimney.
• Always follow the
manufacturer’s directions for the safe operation of your heating appliance.
• Don’t try to save
money by running your oil tank dry–it will start burning the sludge.
• Remember that
space heaters need space–don’t place a space heater near any combustibles such
as beds or curtains. Make sure it cannot tip over.
• Turn off all space
heaters before leaving the home.
• Don’t overload
your electrical circuits and outlets.