Baby, it’s cold outside. And it’s just getting colder. We’re well into the crisp fall season and Old Man Winter will soon be knocking at the door. The Reno weather forecast through Thanksgiving shows highs in the 50s and overnight lows dipping well below freezing. If you’re like me, that household heater has been getting a nice little workout lately. The fire department wants to remind Reno homeowners about these winter warming safety tips:
Space heaters need just that…space. Make sure that nothing combustible is within a three foot perimeter of any floor or other portable space heater. Combustible materials don’t always need a spark to get a flame going. Sometimes, all it takes is a rise in temperature.
Keep all portable heating units in good working condition. Before using them, especially after they’ve been stored for months, inspect the unit for any carbon buildup. Make sure your unit has an emergency shutoff in case it accidentally gets tipped over. If it doesn’t have one, it may be time for a new one.
Never EVER use your oven to heat your Reno home. Not only is this one of the most inefficient ways to heat your home but it can cause serious damage to a curious child’s little fingers and can emit toxic fumes that quickly build up, easily killing a family in their sleep (like carbon monoxide poisoning).
Get your chimney inspected at least once a year…before you begin using it regularly. An improperly ventilated chimney can create a backup of toxic fumes. Make sure it is cleaned out so that there is a clear path for smoke to exit your Reno home. Also, make sure that all embers are completely dead before closing the damper, as they can reignite if not properly extinguished.
Outdoor heating units and generators should only be used outside. They need a large area to properly ventilate the toxic fumes that build up when in use. If used indoors, the carbon monoxide can fill a home without any warning, killing all living beings inside.
There should be a working smoke detector on every level of a Reno home. Check to see if your detector has a battery backup system, since many of them work on an electrical system which can render them inoperable in a power outage. Batteries should be changed at least once a year. However, many experts recommend changing them twice a year. A good rule of thumb to follow is, when you change your clocks at the beginning and end of Daylight Savings Time, change your detector batteries as well. Since this just happened a little over a week ago, change your batteries now if you haven’t already done so. Also, consider getting a carbon monoxide detector for all levels of your home . Carbon monoxide is odorless and extremely deadly.
Following these winter warming safety tips will help Reno homeowners stay safe and warm during the cold winter months. Contact me now if you’re interested in buying or selling a Reno property soon.
Charlene Hamilton, Certified Distressed Property Expert, Helping Reno Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure
