When the temperature outside start to drop, you will look forward to indoor comforts more and more. Las Vegas winters are typically pretty mild, but it still gets cold and our heaters will work overtime to keep our homes warm all hours of the day.

Is Your Home Heating System Safe?

Accidental deaths peak in the winter months. Each year, over 22,000 people end up in the emergency room from carbon monoxide poisoning and nearly 500 people die. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is extremely poisonous and is referred to as the silent killer because it’s literally undetectable if you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon monoxide can be given off by stoves, gas ranges, furnaces, boilers and fireplaces. That being said, the instances of carbon monoxide increase in the winter months when we’re trying to heat our homes.

Home Heating Winter Safety Tips

1. Each floor in your home should have a carbon monoxide detector and make sure the batteries are changed annually.
2. Any material that can be combustible should be kept three feet away from furnaces, space heaters, stoves and fireplaces.
3. Before you start a fire, be sure that the chimney damper is open and free of any blockages.
4. When you purchase a new space heater, make sure you choose one that will turn off automatically if the heater happens to fall over.
5. Space heaters always need to be on the floor or a hard, fire-resistant surface like ceramic tile. Keep children and pets away from them.
6. Portable heaters or fireplaces should never be neglected. Space heaters need to be turned off when you can’t monitor them and all embers in the fireplace need to be completely extinguished when you go to bed.
7. Don’t burn anything in your stove or fireplace if it isn’t vented.
8. Fireplaces, chimneys, furnaces and coal or wood stoves should be inspected and cleaned each year by a professional.

First Alert; Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors will detect the presence of carbon monoxide gas to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. They are designed to measure CO levels over time and will sound an alarm before dangerous levels have a chance to build up in an environment. This will allow the occupants enough time to ventilate the area safely or evacuate. They need to be installed on each floor of your home and in sleeping areas. Symptoms of CO poisoning include those similar to the flu, but without a fever accompanied by dizziness, severe headaches, nausea, sleepiness, fatigue/weakness and disorientation/confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms and you think they might be related to carbon monoxide poisoning, you need to get medical attention immediately!

Heating Safety Inspections in the Las Vegas Valley, Summerlin, North LV & Henderson Nevada

Make sure your heating system is up to date and well maintained throughout the year, especially in the winter months. Schedule a heating tune-up to ensure your furnace will keep you warm all winter and ensure the safety of your family. Contact Air Supply Heating & Air Conditioning today.