Precautions To Take When The Heater Is Approachable By Kids
Young children spend most of their time at home, where heating is often on all the time. It makes sense to teach them about fire safety then.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that half of our winter fires happen June – August – so let’s make sure we’re teaching kids from an early age how to avoid being burned by a stove or fireplace this year.
Most parents know what they need for these types of emergencies, but if you don’t feel like your child has received enough education on avoiding burns, take some hands-on lessons with us today.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Red Cross, and NFPA, you should follow the following guidelines:
Safety tips for using a furnace approachable by kids
- Plan an emergency escape route in case of fire. Your kids should know how to dial 9-1-1 and what to do in case of an emergency.
- Every quarter, stage household fire drills with the family. You can turn safety into a creative, entertaining, and educational experience.
- Show the kids how to stop, drop, and roll and help them practice.
- Remind people to stay close to the floor in case of a house fire (to avoid smoke inhalation).
- Any potential fire hazard should be near a tested fire extinguisher. Be sure your kids know where to find it and how to use it.
- You should test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors every month, and you should replace their batteries at least twice a year. Teach your children to recognize the sound of these alarms.
Perform a pre-check on your heating system
If you’ve been without your heater for months, the first thing to do when turning it on is to ensure no leaks in any of its components. For a gas-powered unit, be aware that if they smell natural gas fumes or their pilot light goes out after being turned off and then back on again – this could indicate an issue with the burner assembly. If yours operates by electricity (or both), double-check all electrical connections before going ahead to heat your home.
Dust may not be the only thing that settles on heating components when they are not in use. It’s essential to ensure your heater is clean before turning it back on, as dust and other particles might also settle over time. Having a professional check your heating will give them more insight into what needs repairing or replacing now for safety purposes – which could save you from any unpleasant events later.
Pro tip: An important tip for home heating safety is getting your heater serviced once a year – at the very least.
Keep an eye on your kids
Taking care of children is a full-time job. From changing diapers to reading bedtime stories, there are always new things you can be teaching your little ones. Parents do one thing for their kids at home during cold winter months to prevent them from playing with heating appliances by keeping these spaces out of reach and staying away when the heaters are turned on.
Especially when the home heating system is on, never leave your children unattended.
Pro Tip: If you have a heat source in your home, ensure a 3-foot zone free of children.
Add a fire alarm near your heating system
Have you ever wondered about the importance of a fire alarm? It can be hard to know how they work. They will go off if there is smoke or heat in your home, which means it’s time for everyone to get out! It would be best if you had your heating equipment close by so when someone sets up an escape route with their sprinklers, people won’t feel cold from having left behind their coats on accident.
Final Tidbits
A fire in your heating system can be a scary thing, but there are some things you might not know about that will help. If the heater starts to ignite and is on its own accord, switch it off first if possible before opening doors and windows for ventilation.
At Quick Air, we know that the winters can be rough on your home. Contact us to learn the ways to keep it delightfully warm without compromising safety!