Editorial

It's still not too late to get ready for winter

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

It's that time of year when everything gets a workout, from our lungs to the old battery in our car to the heater in our homes.

Unfortunately, the cold lets us know when we're out of shape by our wheezing, by the failure of our car to start -- or more seriously, the failure of our home heating equipment.

Too many times we have had to report on people poisoned by carbon monoxide, or injured or killed in fires caused be overtaxed extension cords or faulty heating equipment.

We should have been taking care of all of this when the weather was warmer, but with the official start of winter still nearly three weeks off, there's still time to prepare for the majority of the long, dark, cold season.

For one, make sure your furnace is fully functional, controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition and the furnace is properly vented.

Check the walls and ceiling near the furnace and along the chimney line. If the wall is hot or discolored, you may need more insulation. If there is soot along or around seams, you may have a leak. All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry. And keep trash and other combustibles away from heating systems.

The same goes for wood stoves and fireplaces, and make sure you use a glass or metal screen to keep the fireplace from throwing sparks or embers into the room. And, never use a flammable liquid to start a fire.

Never use a range or oven as a supplemental heating device, and avoid using extension cords to power electric heaters. If you must, make sure it is rated to carry enough amps to run the device -- it should be as large or larger than the appliance's electrical cord.

Don't use electrical space heaters in bathrooms or other areas where they may be exposed to water.

If your pipes freeze, don't try thawing them with an open flame, which could ignite the structure of your home. It's better to use hot water for thawing out frozen pipes.

And, if all else fails, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order, and you have an escape plan and meeting point for your family. Practice using your escape route, and if it involves windows, make sure they open easily and an escape ladder is available if needed.

Let's take the time now to make sure we'll have an enjoyable holiday season leading into the rest of the winter.

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