How You Can Safely Keep Your Home Warm This Winter

10/8/2020 (Permalink)

We want you and your family to be safe this winter!

Here at SERVPRO of West Knoxville, we enjoy staying warm and cozy just as much as anyone else.  With the winter season coming, also brings cold temperatures.  

We want to share some tips on how you and your family can keep your home warm safely, as well as inform you about where there can be an additional fire risk. 

1. The heat from the sun is free so make the most of it. Open your curtains and let the sunlight in during the day to make use of this free heat. When it gets dark, shut your curtains, which act as another layer of insulation and keep warmth in your rooms.
2. It might feel great to have your favorite seat in front of the radiator, but it’s absorbing heat that could be warming your home. By moving it away from the radiator, hot air can circulate freely. The same goes for your curtains or drying clothes – keep them away from the radiator so that you can get the most out of your heat source.
3. Rugs not only work to style a room, but they also do a good job of keeping your feet toasty if you have tile or hardwood flooring
4. When you’re done baking and turn the oven off, leave the oven door open. The heat will flow into the kitchen and help warm up the room. Of course, don’t ever do this if you have children, pets, or elderly house guests unless you can securely close off the kitchen.
5. If possible, leave the door open when you shower. This allows all that hot steam to travel through the house. It can also help cut down on dry winter air. 

Now we want to share some tips on how to minimize the chances of fire when using the more traditional items to keep your house warm this winter.

1. Check the product label. Make sure your electric blanket is certified by a national testing laboratory, such as UL. You can also check the Consumer Product Safety Commission to make sure your electric blanket has not been recalled.
2. Keep the blanket flat while using it. Folds or bunched-up areas can create and trap too much heat.
3. Think about an electric blanket with auto-shutoff. If your blanket doesn't have a timer, turn it off before going to sleep.
4. Place the heater on a hard, level, and nonflammable surface. They are intended to sit on the floor, not on a table.
5. Unplug the heater when it’s not in use by pulling the plug straight from the outlet. Check the cord for damage periodically, and don’t use the heater if the cord is frayed or worn.
6. Don’t plug another electrical device or an extension cord into the same outlet as a heater—that can cause overheating.