Gas Furnace Safety Tips to Follow for a Safe Home

What a tragic story breaking from Allentown, PA today! A natural gas explosion killed 5 people, damaged 47 homes and has affected dozens more.

As homeowners or small business owners we tend to give little thought to turning on the heat and going about our day in comfort. We often don't consider how important regular check-ups of our heating equipment is. Having a qualified professional inspect, clean and service your oil burners or gas furnaces is a small investment for an even greater peace of mind. The tragedy that happened in Allentown may be the result of a faulty infrastructure but poorly maintained heating equipment can pose the same risk. This is gas and/ or oil afterall.

If your home has a gas furnace that is not running at peak performance, not only is it wasting energy, but it could also be dangerous – and possibly deadly to those who live in your home. A clean, efficiently burning gas furnace produces very small amounts of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause flu-like symptoms, disorientation, and even death. Newer gas furnaces are often equipped with automatic "shut-off" features when a problem is detected, but it's still important to have your gas furnace checked and cleaned at least once a year.

Consider these tips for safe operation of your gas furnace:

• Keep the area around your furnace clean and unobstructed.
• Install a Carbon monoxide detector.
• Do not store anything combustible, such as paint thinners and gasoline, anywhere near your furnace.
• Clean or change furnace filters regularly.
• Check the exhaust vent from the furnace, as well as the air intake.
• Get everyone out of the house quickly if you smell gas and call for help immediately.

If your heating equipment still hasn't had it's annual check-up, it's not too late. Call us for an inspection and service of your heating system. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure... 443-356-0962. Saturday appointments now available.

Call Knd Mechanical Services (443) 356-0962 for all of your Commercial and Residential heating and air conditioning needs. Serving the Greater Baltimore area and beyond.