With the bitterly cold weather this week, it’s a good time for a reminder to safely heat your home. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) offers the following home heating safety reminders.
- Have your furnace, vents, flues and chimneys inspected by a qualified repair person. This should be done once a year.
- Never use an oven to heat the house. This can damage the oven and possibly cause carbon monoxide to be released into the home.
- Plug portable space heaters directly into an outlet (not an extension cord) and make sure they stay at least three feet from anything that can burn such as paper, bedding and people. Look for models that have an automatic shut-off.
- Install or replace batteries of carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms and test to make sure they work.
- Leave the house immediately and call 911 if carbon monoxide is detected or you suspect a gas leak. Carbon monoxide poisoning creates flu-like symptoms and can cause extreme illness or death. Signs of a gas leak include a rotten egg or sulfur-like odor.
For more information on natural gas safety and home heating assistance programs, visit the PUCO website at www.PUCO.ohio.gov or call the PUCO call center at 1-800-686-7826.
About Marion Online News
