We have recently had a COLD WAVE in Memphis Tennessee:

1) Have you checked your heater to see if there is a dust hazard that could lead to a fire (especially one running through your ducting)

2) Those who plan on kerosene space heaters - is your wick any good, do you have adequate ventilation to use it, do you have at least ten feet around it that is clear of all obstructions and flammable materials?

3) How is the insulation around your doors and windows? Is it up to snuff?

4) If you have a wood stove, is the flue clean, do you have enough wood, is it insulated well around it so that it doesn't burn a wall or start a fire outside of it? Have you cleared summertime junk away from storage next to it that might catch fire?

5) If you have small electric space heaters - have they been cleaned so that there is no dust in them? Dust can ignite...

6) Is your propane or kerosene tank filled?

7) If you have a fireplace, has IT been cleaned? Is the flue clear and unobstructed by bird nests and such... (STORKS will do that...)

8) Have you looked at your attic vents, and closed them if you can, so that heat does not just run right out of your upstairs?

9) Do you have a CO2 monitor, and if you do - does it work? Does it need a battery?

10) DOES YOUR HEATER EVEN WORK! Test it - before it gets cold and you find you do not HAVE ONE...


~Wolfie sends

 

We've had to use ours for awhile now.... I want a wood burning insert

 

I got the winterizing bug last week and checked all of that stuff that applies at my place. It's been 40 degrees or less in the morning for a few weeks now. Winter will be here before we know it.

 

The air/heat tech was here this week to check out the heating system. We had a blast of Canadian air (thanks a lot, Dennis) and the temp dropped to 63. The weather report indicates we will be using the air conditioning again next week with temps in the 80's. T-shirts and shorts are still my daily uniform.

 

I have my heating & ac checked every yr. Its worth every penny it cost. I change the batteries in my smoke detectors twice a yr also.

 

Good point Greywolf. I just spent 120 bucks on insulation this morning that I plan to install in the morning. I got one room in the house that is not underpinned so its a big heatloser. I got alot of work to do this weekend getting the house ready. Thanks for giving everyone the heads up and pointing out the safety issues.

Another thing to consider is making sure your outside animals have plenty of straw bedding to keep them warm and don't forget to check your coolant in your vehicles.

 

You're very welcome.

I too still wear Shorts & a T-shirt

at 5:00 pm today I was laying on the ground cleaning the harmonic balancer on my truck to re-paint the white on the 6*BTDC line getting ready to re-time the engine.
Temperature at the time 8*C or 46*F


I now have to phone for an appointment for the furnace and duct cleaning .

 

timely..and great advice. having worked in the field all my life, i've seen too many disasters from people ignoring this stuff. great post