Did you know that October is National Fire Prevention Month? It originally started as a week-long commemoration of The Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but today, it spans the entire month! Each year, approximately 358,500 house fires occur. What’s even more alarming is that most of these fires can be prevented by homeowners practicing simple preventative measures and proper maintenance. Join us, the Centerville Heating & Cooling family, as we promote safety awareness to help keep you safe and prevent house fires.
HVAC Fire Hazards That Are Common:
First, it’s crucial to know that your HVAC system isn’t inherently dangerous. However, like anything else, improper practices and negligence can cause harm. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of common fire hazards related to HVAC systems.
- Electrical Issues: Electrical issues are a common cause of HVAC-related fires. When buying a home, it’s often difficult to obtain the complete history of the HVAC unit. Over time, these units age, wear down, and become outdated, leading to electrical problems with old wiring and circuits. It’s crucial to know the condition of your HVAC units. If you can’t recall the last time your units were serviced, please contact us. Regular maintenance is vital to prevent dangerous situations.
- Clutter Around Units: Depending on where your units are located, there might be clutter in the vicinity. HVAC units are sometimes installed in garages or basements, which homeowners often use for storage. They tend to stack boxes, paint cans, chemicals, cleaning solutions, or other items in front of or around the HVAC unit. Remember to keep the area clear and allow airflow around each unit, even if they are stored in designated closets or elsewhere in your home.
- Poor Installation: Improper installation is a common cause of HVAC-related fires. Installing an HVAC unit involves many details, and poorly installed units can go unnoticed for years without regular servicing. To ensure safety, always choose a licensed HVAC company with certified technicians for installations and schedule regular maintenance checks.
Fire Prevention Tips from Your Centerville Heating & Cooling Professionals:
- Create an escape plan and ensure that the whole family, including small children, is aware of it. Choose a familiar location outside and far from the house where everyone can gather in the event of a fire.
- For safety’s sake, it’s best to use a Carbon Monoxide & Explosive Gas Detector in your home. These alarms can detect carbon monoxide and natural gases like methane and propane, keeping you protected.
- Make sure you have smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basement. It’s also recommended to place a smoke detector outside every sleeping area, like in the hallway. If possible, consider an interconnected smoke alarm system. This way, if one alarm goes off, all alarms will sound, giving you more time to react.
- Remember to test your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors every month and stay on top of battery replacement. It’s a good idea to switch the batteries annually to ensure safety.
- Smoke alarms have a limited lifespan. So. It’s a wise idea to check the manufacture date on the back of the alarm and replace it ten years from that date.
- Make sure you have a fire extinguisher on every level of your home, ideally in a convenient and easily accessible spot.
- According to experts, it’s recommended to close all bedroom doors at night to slow down the spread of fire and potentially save lives.
At Centerville Heating & Cooling, your family’s safety is our top priority. It’s important to keep up with annual maintenance to ensure your HVAC system meets current standards and operates smoothly. Contact us to learn about our Whole Home Protection Plan and keep your home and HVAC system in excellent condition. We’re here to support you and keep your home covered!
Call Centerville Heating & Cooling today at (937) 353-1169, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
