Did you know that October is National Fire Prevention Month? It originally started as spanning just a week to commemorate The Great Chicago Fire of 1871, but today, it now covers the entire month! Every year, around 358,500 house fires occur. More shockingly, most house fires that occur can be prevented by homeowners practicing simple preventative measures and proper maintenance. So, join your Beavercreek Heating & Cooling family as we spark the fire of safety awareness with the hopes of keeping you safe and helping you avoid real house fires.
Common HVAC Fire Hazards:
First, it’s important to understand that your HVAC system is not inherently dangerous, but as with all things in life, improper practices and negligence can be detrimental. So, it is best to be aware of common HVAC-related fire hazards.
- Electrical Issues: One of the most common reasons behind HVAC-related fires is electrical issues. Many times, when someone buys a home, the complete history of an HVAC unit is not always available. With time, these units get older, wear down, or become outdated. This can result in electrical problems with old wiring and circuits. We always emphasize the importance of knowing 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.
- Clutter Around Units: Clutter in the vicinity may be a strong possibility, depending on your units’ location. Some HVAC units are installed in garages or basements. So, it is typical for many homeowners to utilize this space for storage by stacking boxes, paint cans, chemicals, household cleaning solutions, or anything else in front of or around an HVAC unit. Bear in mind that you should keep the area clear of items or clutter and allow airflow to circulate around each unit. This same rule applies even if your HVAC units are stored in designated closets or anywhere else in your home.
- Poor Installation: Another top common reason HVAC-related fires take place is because of improper installation. There are many details that go into installing an HVAC unit. Plus, poorly installed units can go unnoticed for years if you are not regularly having your HVAC system serviced. For this reason, you should always work with a licensed HVAC company that uses certified technicians for their installations, as well as make sure you are scheduling your regular maintenance checks.
Fire Prevention Tips from Your Beavercreek Heating & Cooling Professionals:
- Form an escape plan and make sure the entire family knows it (including small children.) It would be wise to pick a well-known spot outside and well away from the house for everyone to meet in case of a fire.
- To err on the side of safety, it’s always best to use a Carbon Monoxide & Explosive Gas Detector in your home. These hybrid alarms can detect carbon monoxide and natural gases, such as methane and propane.
- If you don’t already have smoke detectors on every level of your home, consider doing so as soon as possible. Don’t forget to include the basement, too, if you have one. Furthermore, placing a smoke detector outside every sleeping area (like in the hallway) is also recommended. (An interconnected smoke alarm system is an excellent choice if possible. That way, if one sounds off in a specific area of your home, all alarms will sound off, alerting you in the process. This gives you more time to act accordingly.)
- Make it a point to test your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors monthly and stay on top of battery replacement. A good rule of thumb is switching the batteries out every year to be safe.
- Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Check the manufacture date on the back of the smoke alarm and replace it ten years from that date.
- Keep a fire extinguisher on every level of your home, preferably in an easy-access common area.
- Experts say it is best to keep all bedroom doors closed at night. This slows the rate at which the fire can spread. This strategy has been known to save lives.
Beavercreek Heating & Cooling truly cares about your family’s safety, and we want you to be equipped with all you need to do so. We highly suggest keeping up with your annual maintenance as the best way to make sure your HVAC system is running up to par with current standards and operating as smoothly as it should. Call us to learn more about our Whole Home Protection Plan to keep your home and HVAC system in tip-top shape. We have your back by keeping your home covered!
Call Beavercreek Heating & Cooling today at (937) 708-8527, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
