Did you know that October is National Fire Prevention Month? What originally started as just a week back in 1922, has since expanded to covering the whole month. Fire safety awareness is huge and essential! Around 358,500 house fires happen every year! Interestingly enough, most of these fires can be prevented with some simple measures and proper maintenance. So, let’s all come together with your Bridgetown Heating & Cooling family to raise awareness about fire safety and keep you and your family safe.
HVAC Fire Hazards:
First, it’s important to note that your HVAC system is not inherently dangerous. However, like with anything in life, it’s crucial to be mindful of proper practices and avoid negligence. So, let’s explore some common HVAC-related fire hazards together, shall we?
- Electrical Issues: One of the most common reasons behind HVAC-related fires is electrical issues. Sometimes, when you buy a home, the complete history of an HVAC unit is not always available. Over time, these units get older, wear down, or become outdated. This can lead to electrical problems with old wiring and circuits. We always want to make sure you know the condition of your HVAC units. So, if you can’t remember the last time your units were serviced, please give us a call! Regular maintenance is essential for keeping dangerous situations at bay. Remember, we’re here to help!
- Clutter Around Units: Based on where your HVAC units are located, there’s a chance you might have some clutter in the vicinity. No judgment. It happens! But once you know better, you can do better! Some units are installed in garages or basements, which many homeowners often use for storage. It’s not uncommon to find boxes, paint cans, chemicals, or other stuff piled up near or around the unit. Remember, it’s important to keep the area clear of clutter and allow airflow to circulate around each unit, even if the units are stored in designated closets or elsewhere in your home.
- Poor Installation: Another common reason for HVAC-related fires is improper installation. Installing an HVAC unit involves many details, and poorly installed units can go unnoticed for years when they are not being serviced regularly. To avoid this, it’s important to work with a licensed HVAC company that employs only certified technicians for installations. Along with this, regular maintenance checks also need to be prioritized.
Fire Prevention Tips from Your Bridgetown Heating & Cooling Professionals:
- Work together with your family and form an escape plan and make sure the whole family knows it, including the little ones! It’s a good idea to choose a familiar spot outside, away from the house, where you can all meet in case of a fire.
- For added safety, it’s a great idea to have a Carbon Monoxide & Explosive Gas Detector in your home. These clever alarms can detect carbon monoxide and natural gases like methane and propane.
- If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to get smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basement. It’s also recommended to place a smoke detector outside each sleeping area, like in the hallway. If possible, consider an interconnected smoke alarm system. That way, if one goes off, all the alarms will sound, giving you more time to react.
- Remember to make it a point to test your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors every month and stay on top of battery replacement. It’s always a good rule of thumb to switch the batteries out every year.
- Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Remember to check the manufacture date on the back of your smoke alarm and replace it ten years from that date.
- Make sure to keep a fire extinguisher on every level of your home, ideally in a convenient and easily accessible spot.
- According to experts, it’s a good idea to keep all bedroom doors closed at night. This simple action can help slow down the spread of fire and has even been proven to save lives.
At Bridgetown Heating & Cooling, we genuinely care about the safety of your family and want to provide you with everything you need. We highly recommend staying up to date with your annual maintenance to ensure that your HVAC system meets current standards and operates smoothly. Give us a call to learn more about our Whole Home Protection Plan, designed to keep your whole home and HVAC system in top shape. We’ve got your back when it comes to keeping your home covered!
Call Bridgetown Heating & Cooling today at (513) 273-1335, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!