Just last week I had a wake-up call. My dryer was taking way too much time to dry my clothes and making weird noises, so I detached it from the wall to discover that my exhaust pipe was chock-a block full of lint. Wow, that could have created a potential fire. I always would take the lint from the lint trap every time I would change loads, but it was obviously not enough. Dryers cause 3,000 fires every year. The leading culprit? Lint. Remove it from the filter before each load of laundry. And, clean the vent tube that sends air outside every 6 months. Hire a service if you're not sure how. Replace your vent tube if it's an accordion-style because lint can build up in the folds. I replaced my hose from an accordion style hose to a straight metal tube where lint can’t get caught up as easily,
A healthy furnace makes a little carbon monoxide -- a poisonous gas you can't see or smell – that leaves the house through a vent. A poorly kept furnace is a fire hazard and can put deadly amounts of gas into your home. Change the filter regularly and keep the furnace area clean. A certified technician should check your unit every year, especially for cracks that you may not be able to see with the naked eye, as furnaces aren't the only source of carbon monoxide. Clothes dryers, water heaters, fireplaces, gas stoves, cars, grills, and lawn equipment all make it. Get to a hospital if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms can seem like the flu. Install a carbon monoxide detector and properly vent anything that burns fuel inside. Never use outdoor equipment in your house.
Oil Fired Furnace
As with any fuel, maintenance is the key to keeping heating equipment operating safely. Make sure you have your annual tune-up, a service technician will perform tests to make sure your heating equipment is working safely and correctly; if he spots an issue, he’ll take care of it right away.
It pays to get newer models, which have more safety features. Pick one that has a "UL" label, a safety certification that's recognized by the U.S. government. Make sure it's the right size for the room that you want to heat. Get one with a safety switch that turns the machine off when it's knocked over. Put it on a level surface away from areas where people often walk. If your space heater is tall, it gives the opportunity for your family pet to knock it over, creating a sure-fire hazard,
CO poisoning
Although both oil and gas combustion produce potentially dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide as exhaust, heating oil holds a big advantage when it comes to carbon monoxide detection: if an oil burner is not functioning properly, it will produce smoke – a natural warning to people in your home. A gas burner, on the other hand, will produce only colorless, odorless carbon monoxide; this makes a CO buildup harder to detect. If your oil furnace is producing black smoke or soot, contact your furnace company right away. This is a sign your equipment is not functioning properly and the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning exists. It’s also critical to have tested and working carbon monoxide detectors in your home, and to know the telltale symptoms of CO poisoning, such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and fatigue.
Electrical Safety
All electrical outlets near water should be protected by Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI). They are required in unfinished basements, garages, outdoors, and anywhere near a sink. They interrupt the electrical circuit if someone comes in contact with electrical energy. This prevents dangerous electrical shock.
You should also check for loose or frayed wires on all electrical devices. Make sure there are no electrical cords under rugs or across doorways. Do not put cords in areas where they can be walked on. Have an electrician check any plugs or outlets that feel warm. Do not overload outlets. Plug in only one high-wattage appliance per outlet. Check that you do not exceed the amount allowed for a single outlet. Use light bulbs that are the correct wattage. Make sure electric outlets are safe for children. Add outlet plugs or covers that prevent children from sticking items into the receptacle. Move furniture in front of plugs to prevent them from being pulled out. Many seem to know the basics when it comes to safety hazards in their home such as covering all outlets, sharp corners and locking up cabinets and poisonous chemicals.
Winter is usually time when most accidents happen. Don’t become a statistic, be aware of your surroundings.
Richie Vraux is a Broker/REALTOR with Pine Tree Realty of Maine, 76 Tandberg Trail, Windham. Richie has been a REALTOR for more than 25 years. If you need Real Estate advice at any capacity, feel free to reach out to Richie at 207-317-1297 or [email protected]. <
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