As the days get noticeably shorter, our thoughts turn to
children returning to school, fall sports and, especially for us at Brandywine
Valley, the return of the heating season. As both vibrant leaves and
temperatures fall, our minds naturally conjure up images of curling up with a
cup of coca in a well heated home. While nothing is more inviting than the
shelter of a warm home in the cold winter months, ensure that you are heating
your home safely. I would like to join the National Fire Protection Association
in reminding our customers that heater safety should not be taken lightly.
The most crucial step in exercising heater safety is to have
your heating system and chimney cleaned and checked by a qualified
professional. If you do not already have a trusted relationship with a heating
contractor, visit the Air Conditioning Contractors of America website (www.ACCA.org)
to locate one in your neighborhood. Always exercise caution in regards to
advertisements featuring low-priced plans that may not allow the proper amount
of time to perform a complete check of your system. While we would certainly
prefer that you call us, that this service is performed by a qualified,
trained, heating professional is more important than self-promotion. If you
plan to use your fireplace or other wood burning equipment, contact a chimney
professional to have your chimney inspected and cleaned. Looking to heat an
individual room? Portable, electric, heaters can create a cozy space, but
before plugging them in, inspect the cord to ensure it is not frayed.
Furthermore, remind everyone in your home that the heater must be placed 3 feet
away from any flammable items such as papers, clothes or furniture.
Central heating systems may seem like a worry-free method of
evenly heating your home, but they can also be deadly if not properly
maintained by a professional. Incomplete combustion or blocked furnace flues
are just two of the many culprits that can produce carbon monoxide, a dangerous
chemical compound whose reputation certainly precedes it. Carbon Monoxide is a colorless,
odorless gas that is poisonous to all warm-blooded animals, as well as many
other forms of life. When inhaled, carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin in
the blood, preventing absorption of oxygen and resulting in asphyxiation. Due
to its odorless nature, carbon monoxide is an insidious poison. It produces
only mild symptoms of headache, nausea, or fatigue, followed by
unconsciousness. The catalysts for carbon monoxide production are often fast moving
in nature; an automobile engine running in a closed garage and a leaking
furnace flue can both make the air noxious within a few minutes. It is
imperative to call a heating contractor for a heater cleaning and safety
inspection. As the technician completes his inspection of your equipment, be
sure to ask about the type of wall-mounted CO detectors they recommend. Heating
contractors typically have higher quality, more reliable detectors then what is
sold in home centers.
There is nothing more important than your family’s home
comfort and safety. My message is not intended to generate anxiety or disrupt
your peace of mind. In turn, my advice is offered in the hope that your family
will enter these cooler months feeling secure and prepared to operate your
heating equipment safely. I leave you with a final encouragement to detail an
emergency plan for your family. Set the example by verifying that your heating
system is safe to operate, posting emergency phone numbers by the phone or
programming them into your cell phone, and making sure that you review these
procedures with the entire family. On behalf of all of us at Brandywine Valley,
I would like to wish you a safe and enjoyable season with a warm home and
equally warm memories shared between family and friends.
