| With the cold weather season upon us, homes | | | | plugging in a space heater. Some people are still |
| across the nation are beginning to turn off the air | | | | using heaters that have long been banned or |
| conditioner and swamp coolers and turn on the | | | | deemed unsafe by various safety agencies. Each |
| furnaces and stoking the fires. Many homeowners | | | | year, too many babies and young children are |
| don't stop to think about the safety of heating | | | | seriously burned or even killed by space and floor |
| their home during these cold months, but there is | | | | heaters. Some irresponsible parents even bring |
| much to consider. Young children are especially at | | | | outdoor barbecues or other heating elements |
| risk if adults carelessly bring unsafe heating | | | | indoors in order to facilitate cheap winter heating. |
| equipment into the home, or fail to properly teach | | | | Do not risk your children's lives by trying to save |
| their children the safety of being around heat and | | | | a buck or two. If you use indoor space heating, |
| flame. | | | | be sure to check that the unit is rated for indoor |
| Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector | | | | use, and keep it in a location away from the |
| Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer | | | | reach of young kids. |
| because its fumes often go undetected until they | | | | Fireplace Safety Precautions |
| build up to deadly levels. Entire families have | | | | Traditional wood fireplaces can be an inexpensive |
| become victims while sleeping at night. The fumes | | | | source of heat, especially for small to mid-size |
| cause tiredness, and then unconsciousness. About | | | | homes. One cord of wood at under a couple |
| the only way to escape its deadly effect is to | | | | hundred dollars can last an entire winter, and |
| install a carbon monoxide detector. It will pick up | | | | considering that many people get their wood for |
| levels that are far below toxic so that you are | | | | free by cutting it down themselves, this type of |
| aware of any leaks long before you start to feel | | | | heating can be very affordable. However, |
| the effects, at which point you are probably going | | | | fireplaces can be dangerous to keep going, even if |
| to be unaware anything is happening. You may | | | | a woodstove is installed. Be sure to teach your |
| not think that carbon monoxide poisoning can | | | | children fire safety and caution them against the |
| happen to you, but it is as highly recommended | | | | heat of a woodstove. For open flames, be sure |
| as a smoke alarm. Why risk your life? | | | | to keep a safety gate or guard up to prevent |
| Use Space and Floor Heaters Carefully | | | | small children from reaching or falling into the fire. |
| Electric central air, propane and other gas heating | | | | Children do not need to learn what hot vs. cold is |
| can be so expensive. Many homeowners tackle | | | | by getting literally burned. |
| this problem by turning off the thermostat and | | | | |