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Nothing feels better on a cold winter’s day than peeling off frosty winter gloves, soggy socks and snuggling up to a roaring fire. But these days, the warmth of the family hearth is likely to be an electric space heater or a digital thermostat. As winter approaches, there is no better time to think about what to do when an ice storm knocks out your power.
Ice storms and improv
When a winter storm causes an electricity outage, people improvise. They break out the flashlights and light the candles. They hook up gas space heaters and crank up kerosene stoves. And that’s when things get dangerous. Safety factors should always be considered before operating any of these home-heating appliances. While chances of freezing to death in your home are small, there's a greater risk of death by fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. So exercise caution.
Safety first
All it takes is a little common sense. By following the safety tips outlined below, you can learn to identify potential hazards associated with the use of home-heating equipment during a power outage.
- Keep children away from portable heaters, electric or fuel-powered.
- Do not burn anything larger than candles inside your home without providing good ventilation such as open windows.
- All heaters that run on fuel (natural gas, kerosene, butane, oil) should be vented. The only exception to this rule is electric heaters.
- Do not use the kitchen oven or stove top to heat your home. This can be a fire hazard as well as a source of toxic fumes.
- Space heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least three feet away.
- When using supplemental portable electric heaters, never use an extension cord.
- Before purchasing a portable heater, make sure it has "tip switches." These switches are designed to automatically shut off the heating unit in the event it tips over.
- Never refill a space heater while it is in operation or is still hot.
- Only refuel heaters outdoors. Use the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer, and follow instructions carefully.
- Glass doors or a metal screen should be placed in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks or hot ash from igniting carpets, furniture or other combustible items.
- Do not burn charcoal designed for indoor barbecues, not even in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. It releases odorless, yet toxic, carbon monoxide fumes and can cause death.
- Install smoke alarms that are equipped with a battery back-up in your home. Make sure that smoke alarms are on every level of the home, as well as near every bedroom in the home. Test the alarms monthly, and change the batteries at least once a year.
- Purchase and install a carbon monoxide alarm for your home. Make sure it is marked with the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) safety listing. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for placement in your home.
Exercising caution and using common sense will keep you and your family safe––even in a storm.
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