Don’t Pass This Gas!

Winter Safe Heating Tips!

As temperatures cool down, home heating use goes up. It’s important for us to get out in front of our communities to educate homeowners and renters to inspect their home-heating appliances and perform any maintenance necessary to avoid any health or safety hazards.

Winter rains and cold fronts are prompting people to turn on their heaters/furnaces for the first time in months. This time of year, fire departments respond to an increased number of calls reported as ‘odor of gas inside’ and gas leaks.

Many heaters have not been used in months. Heating appliances should be serviced annually to keep them operating safely and efficiently. A licensed heating contractor or Gas Co. Representative can provide this service for you.

By not having an annual maintenance inspection on gas appliances could result in exposure to carbon monoxide, which can cause nausea, drowsiness, flu-like symptoms, and even death.

Does your residence have a carbon monoxide and smoke detector installed? Check with your local fire department for advice on installing one.

Here are a few tips for a safe, warm, and energy-efficient winter:

• Have natural gas furnaces checked at least once a year by a licensed heating contractor or Southern California Gas Co rep.
• Vacuum and clean regularly in and around the furnace, particularly around the burner compartment to prevent a build-up of dust and lint. Never store items in, on or around the appliance that can obstruct airflow.
• Most forced-air units have a filter that cleans the air before heating and circulating it throughout the home. Check furnace filters every month during the heating season and clean or replace the filter when necessary.
• When installing a new or cleaned furnace filter, be sure to re-install the front panel door of the furnace properly so it fits snugly; never operate the furnace without the front-panel door properly in place because doing so may create the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Check the appearance of the flame. If the flame is yellow, large and unsteady, the furnace needs to be inspected immediately by a licensed heating contractor or Southern California Gas Co rep to have the condition corrected.
• Using an unvented gas heater in your home is dangerous and a violation of the California Health and Safety Code.
• Never use your oven, range or outdoor barbecue to heat your home because these appliances are not designed for this purpose.

Many don’t realize the danger, and sometimes they decide any risk is better than freezing to death. Fear of the cold can be a powerful thing. Here are four dangerous ways some of the poor keep warm when it is cold:

Space Heaters

A new space heater that is up to code and properly supervised can offer some extra direct heat when needed. Unfortunately, many don’t have the $80-$200 needed per heater, and often make due with older models they have “fixed.” According to Consumer Reports Magazine, Older space heaters “account for one-third of all home-heating fires each year, and more than 80 percent of home-heating fire deaths.”

Using the Oven as a Heat Source

Turning on the oven and leaving the door open is one way some compromised families try to stay warm. It is NOT designed for this purpose. As we know, a gas oven can go out, leading to dangerous fumes, and an electric oven can cause burns, especially to children.

Charcoal

Created for use in outdoor grills, inexpensive charcoal briquettes are sometimes used indoors to generate heat. Unfortunately, these materials are made for only outdoor use. Burning them indoors, including in a fireplace can release odorless toxic carbon monoxide fumes leading to death.

Sadly, with more homelessness on our streets, we will see an increase of carbon monoxide poisoning and fires and those seeking warmth during winter months. We need to do our part to educate them as well!

Again, the best advice is to contact a licensed qualified heating contractor or Southern California Gas Co. Representative to inspect your furnace.

Editor’s note: California State Firefighters Association is honored to help your agency with Community Risk Reduction articles for you to use for your agency’s social media, press releases to local media, cable tv, or presentations to community organizations etc. These articles are intended to reduce fires, accidents, and injuries by sharing these within your community. This week’s article is designated for Wildfire Preparedness Day which is May 4th . This article and its content can be used at your discretion at any time you feel is appropriate for your community. Do you need other resources for Community Risk Reduction or do you have questions on how to best use these resources? Feel free to contact [email protected]

Sam DiGiovanna is a 40-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department, and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale and Associate Director for the Calif Training Officers Assoc. He also is a consultant for Lexipol www.Lexipol.com