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Although summer is here many people are concerned about keeping their homes cool, in a couple of months it will be time to start heating your home again. Since it has become more expensive to heat oil, many individuals want a new way to heat their houses. The thing is that these alternative methods also come with a greater risk of causing house fires. In this article we are going over a few ways to keep your home safe when using these alternative heating sources.

One thing many people do would be to go out and get an electric heater or even an electric fireplace. These so called room heating elements or electric fireplaces are often a rather large fire risk if not used properly. When you will not be home, it is significant to know that you should shut off any of these units. If you aren’t home, even if the units are usually safe, it can be dangerous still to leave it on. It’s also advisable to make sure that you never position any stuff near the units when they are running. Always try to keep the system at least 3 feet from any wall or any other item that is flammable. And finally you shouldn’t plug this sort of unit into a power strip.

A wood fire stove or fireplace is something that a great many people decide on getting. It can also be a fire hazard, but at the same time can be a great way to heat your home. If you feel like you will be able to set up the stove yourself, it is crucial to realize that it is better to let a professional do it for you. By doing this you will be positively sure that it is installed properly and this little fact itself will help reduce the risk of fires.

Washing the chimney and wood stove routinely is vital to keep yourself safe once the unit is properly set-up. Creosote is the major cause why chimney fires happen and it builds up over time in the chimney and stove. Placing a shield whether it’s glass or metal in front of the fireplace or wood stove is something else to remember. It will help because it helps prevent sparks from landing on carpeting or other flammable materials close by. And the same as with electric powered heaters you should never leave your fireplace or wood stove burning if you are not at home.

Finally, ensuring every room comes with a smoke detector is critical. Although you don’t theoretically need to do this, if you absolutely want the best protection for your family this is one of the best ways to do so. A fire extinguisher should also be ready to begin using on each floor of your home. The prior recommendations should give you the know-how needed to protect your home from alternative energy sources.