Laurie Bauer | Business Development Manager , TW Insurance Brokers

Ahead for Comfort and Warmth at Home

While we enjoy the nice weather of late summer and fall , it ’ s a good time to prepare your home for cold winter days ! By insulating your home and regularly maintaining your fireplace and heating system , you can heat your house safely and efficiently while keeping the heat inside . Before the coldest days of the year , take some time to review these safety tips and prepare your home for the winter months .

1 . Get your wood-burning fireplace or stove ready to burn Before you start burning wood , it ’ s important to get ready to safely operate your fireplace or stove by removing any potential hazards . Inspect and clean your chimney to rid it of any unwanted buildup . Clear the area around the fireplace or stove of flammable objects like hanging decorations or a Christmas tree . Double check that you have a working fire extinguisher nearby , and train members of your household how to use it in an emergency . Lastly , test your carbon monoxide detector to make sure that it ’ s working and will alert you to dangerous levels of the odourless gas .

2 . Inspect your electric fireplace Electric fireplaces are an increasingly popular alternative to traditional fireplaces , as they give the cozy feeling of a fireplace without the risk of sparks or fumes and don ’ t need a chimney . If you have an electric fireplace , check the cord and outlet for damage before you plug it in . Although the glass on the fireplace won ’ t get hot enough to burn people or pets , it ’ s still best practice to keep anything combustible at least three feet away from the fireplace . Check that the fresh air intake and hot air discharge vents are not blocked . Additionally , never operate an electric fireplace in a room where it could be exposed to water , such as a laundry room or bathroom , as water can damage the unit .

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