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With winter quickly approaching, cold weather and freezing temperatures mean it will soon be time to turn up the heat. But first, there are a few safety precautions that every homeowner should take before getting cozy in front of the fireplace or turning on the furnace. According to Allstate Insurance Company of Canada data, fire is the biggest culprit in winter home damage. In fact, fire claims have doubled from the year 2005 to 2009.
“In Canada, we often use our wood burning fireplaces and space heaters to keep ourselves and our loved ones warm. The frequent use of these items unfortunately increases the chances of fire damage. Fortunately there are lots of ways to winter proof and protect your home that will ensure your winter is stress free,” says Tony Irwin, Allstate Insurance Company of Canada spokesperson.
Allstate Canada offers the following tips to help homeowner’s stay safe and warm:
Fireplaces & Wood Stoves:
- Inspect and clean your chimney every year. Your chimney should not have any cracks or loose bricks.
- Install a mesh screen to cover the opening on your chimney. This keeps birds and small animals out and hot sparks in.
- Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace, this will prevent sparks from jumping out and unwanted material from going in.
- Don’t use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.
- Keep all flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel.
- Avoid using large amounts of paper to build roaring fires as it could ignite creosote in the chimney.
- Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
- Once the fire is burning, don’t leave it unattended. Extinguish it completely before you go to bed or leave the house.
- Do not close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper can cause the fire to heat up again and force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.
- When using synthetic logs, follow the directions on the package. Do not break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire.
Furnaces:
- It’s important that you inspect your furnace to ensure it is safe and in good working condition before you use it for the first time each season.
- If you’re unsure of proper furnace inspection methods, enlist a professional to show you how.
- Be sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition.
- Check for holes and cracks in the flue pipe and pipe seams. Soot along or around seams may be an indicator of a leak.
- Keep the area around your furnace clear of any flammable items and make sure there is a clear path to the unit.
- Leave furnace repairs to qualified specialists. Do not attempt repairs yourself unless you are qualified.
Space Heaters:
- Make sure the heater is clear of dust and dirt.
- Do not leave a space heater unattended.
- Place it on a level, hard, non-flammable surface.
- Keep the heater at least three feet from bedding, drapes, furniture or other flammable items.
- Check the cord on your space heater for cracks or frays; do not use it if you find any.
For more information about how to keep your home safe and warm this winter or to arrange an interview with Tony Irwin, Allstate’s official spokesperson, please contact:
Karen Nussbaum
Thornley Fallis Communications
(416) 515-7517, ext. 334 / (647) 294-3321
nussbaum@thornleyfallis.com
