When the first cold days arrive, we dust jackets and blankets and heat the house to be more comfortable. However, before lighting any gas or electric appliance it is very important to make sure that it works correctly, since a minimum damage can have serious consequences.
To avoid home accidents such as burns, poisoning or gas leaks, prevention and good maintenance of the facilities is necessary. In this note we give you a series of recommendations so that you stay safe and can enjoy the comforts of your home in peace.
Remember that at La Caja we offer you a Home Insurance that protects your home against theft, fire or water damage, and you also have emergency service in case you need it.
Initial considerations
Whether you are installing a new stove or simply going to light it as every year, it is important to be cautious and take into account certain considerations to avoid domestic accidents.
The first thing to keep in mind is that regardless of the type of stove you have, they should all be placed more than one meter away from people. In this way, in addition to protecting ourselves, we would be avoiding possible burns.
We must study the space where we place the stoves and always keep them away from those objects that can be flammable and eventually cause a fire, such as furniture, curtains, rugs or sofas.
Gas heating systems
If you have a gas stove, check the color of the flame. When lit, it should show a blue flame. If, on the other hand, it looks yellow and moving, you should call a registered gas operator to check the appliance and certify the installation, just as if you are going to install one of these stoves for the first time.
Make sure the work is done by a licensed professional, as poor stove performance can lead to a loss of carbon monoxide. As this gas has no odor, you can inhale it without realizing it and that can be very dangerous.
It is recommended that these stoves be placed in large spaces that also have good air circulation. But you have to be careful with the currents that can put out the flame. If the space where the stove is is small, remember that they must be balanced draft.
Electric heating systems
The advantage of electric stoves is that they do not pollute, but you must be careful when using them. The first thing is that you check that all the plugs are in good condition and not overloaded so that a short circuit does not occur. If possible, ensure that the appliance has a built-in thermostat so that it automatically turns off when the desired temperature is achieved.
It is important to know where the light box is and how it works: in the event of a failure in the electricity systems, the thermal may trip and the house will be left without power. It may also happen that you notice a problem and need to cut the light manually.
General recommendations
In addition to the specific tips that we shared before, it is important that when cold days arrive, you keep these four tips in mind:
-
If possible, install a smoke / carbon monoxide detector system.
-
In no way do you use stoves or heaters to dry clothes, since this is usually the main cause of fires in homes.
-
Never turn on the oven to heat the home as the ranges were not designed for that and the inhalation of monoxide can cause poisoning.
-
It is always helpful to have emergency numbers and a first aid kit on hand. Before any accident, acting quickly is an essential factor to have the best possible outcome.
I followed these tips to enjoy winter days indoors with a comfortable temperature and without problems.
