Tips on Safely Heating Your Property in the Winter
North Texas was never going to stay warm forever and now that we have cold fronts coming in. It’s about time to talk about how important it is to safely heat your residential or commercial property. Creating a safe environment to feel comfortable and warm during the winter months can be stressful after experiencing the 2021 winter storm but Classic Construction offers some tips on safely heating your property in the winter. From space and area heaters to the nitty gritty heating blankets, we’ve got you covered for the keeping each of your properties warm and safe this winter.
Space Heaters
Space heaters great for warming your space but are they bad for your place?
The short answer is YES!
Space heaters can pose several risks to your home or business when used incorrectly. The first and most important thing to note about using a space heater is ensuring that you never, and we mean never, leave it unattended or sleep with it on. They can cause an electrical fire that can ignite a home or business and quickly spread throughout your space. Additionally make sure that your space heater is plugged into a grounded outlet, which is one that has three prongs and your smoke detector is functioning properly. Lastly do not ever place anything on top of your space heater like clothing or blankets as these may have residue that can also quickly ignite. With proper use and care you can have your home or business toasty warm in no time with the use of a space heater.
Candles
Candles can be very relaxing and cozy when the weather starts to get cooler outside. However, any time you use an open flame or heat source for an extended amount of time, you put yourself and your property at risk. Thankfully, Classic is here to provide tips to help ease your mind when deciding to use candles this season.
- The maximum burn time for most candles is four hours and should then be blown out to avoid potential hazards.
- Electric and flameless candles as well as nightlights provide the same ambiance as candles, without the hazards that come along with candles making them a great alternative.
- Remember to keep candles away from drafts, high traffic areas, as well as children and pets.
- Always use a well-ventilated room, and always keep candles at least 3 inches apart.
Heating Blankets
There’s nothing quite like a warm blanket in a cool space – but don’t forget that this winter favorite also comes with its own set of hazards and safety concerns. If your heating blanket is 10 years or older, you may want to consider upgrading ASAP as almost 100% of electric blanket fires are caused by electric blankets older than 10 years.
New electric heating blankets feature safety controls that reduce risk of fire and burns and also feature temperature controls to keep the blanket from getting too hot. If you want an extra step of control and peace of mind, consider adding a smart outlet to your heating blanket to make sure that you can turn it off remotely if you accidentally leave it on when you leave your space.
Fireplace
We previously wrote tips on fireplace safety, including proper inspections, prepping and cleaning your fireplace, and how to choose the right wood. Our tips covered both gas and wood-burning fireplaces
Conclusion
If you have a commercial property, multi-family property, or residential home in North Texas, you know that when it’s hot, it’s really hot and when it’s cold, it’s ICE COLD! We’ve written some tips on heating your property safely to prevent fire damage including space heaters, heated blankets, and candles. If you experience a fire in your property or home, call Classic Construction right away for remediation! We work quickly, correctly, and with your insurance to restore your building to pre-fire conditions. On time. On budget. That’s Classic!