Staying safe while staying warm
Heating your home is essential in winter, but doing it safely even more so.
Don't let heating your home end in disaster this winter.
We may live in sunny Namibia, but that doesn’t mean we feel the wrath of winter any less. Sub-zero temperatures along with icy winds, sleet, rain, and this year, even isolated incidents of snow/frost, are the types of weather we’ve had to accustom ourselves to.
For many, the cold weather seems to take us by surprise every year, biting into our bones and leaving us hibernating in our homes until spring wanders in.
This means that we spend a fair amount of time indoors enjoying our homely comforts, however, a fire or a burst water pipe can quickly put an end to such cozy comfort. Especially, with socio-economic factors which force many to make use of fuel-based energy for heating, lighting and food preparation.
That is why it’s essential to have home maintenance and safety procedures in place that can help to mitigate the impact a major household disaster could have on your life.
But where to even start?
Inspect your plumbing
Ensure that external and internal pipes are weatherproof and make sure that there are no leaks or potential hazards. Cold weather leads to freezing, and frozen pipes can inevitably cause plumbing leaks or burst pipes, as can trapped debris and sediment. Ask a plumber to do a basic inspection every one to two years to ensure that everything is in order.
It may seem like a small detail, but it can save you the inconvenience of a burst or leaky water or sewerage pipe.
During winter weather, there's a definite increase in the user of heaters - whether wood, gas, infrared, coil, oil, fan or radiator. There are safety risks that come with using any type of heating, so it’s essential that you remain vigilant and adhere to the specific heating device warnings and instructions.
Here are the golden rules of household heating:
o Keep children and pets at least one metre away from all heating units.
o Never leave a heater unattended - this includes while you are sleeping.
o Open fireplaces should always have a spark guard.
o Always extinguish the fire before you go to bed.
o When using gas heaters and fireplaces, ensure that the room is adequately ventilated.
o Never leave a heater on when you leave the house.
o Do not place objects directly on top of heaters and leave a one-metre object-free space around heating units.
o Always check cords and wiring on electrical heaters before using them and don’t use devices with frayed or damaged wiring.
o Don’t use extension cords or multi-plugs for your heaters.
Store and maintain your heaters correctly
When it comes to heaters, storage is another key tip to keeping your home safe during the winter. Here's a checklist to go through during the warmer months to ensure your heaters are safe to use when the cold sets in:
o Give it a regular dusting – ensure that it’s kept free from dust and debris while being stored to avoid an increased risk of fire.
o Check functionality once a month – turn the heater on each month to check that it’s in working order.
o Check that the cord and plug are in good working order.
o If possible, keep the heater covered to prevent build-up and grime from setting in.
o If you have a fixed fireplace, it should be maintained – an annual inspection of the insulation and chimney is a good idea. Also, keep an eye out for debris that can get trapped in the fireplace. Have the chimney swept as a safety precaution every one to two years.
Check your roof and ceiling
This one is necessary if you live in an area with winter rainfall or frequent ice or sleet issues.
A small leak can become worse in the cold due to expansion and contraction in extreme temperatures. Also, check that roof shingles, tiles or sheets are correctly waterproofed to prevent leaks. Your ceiling and insulation are essential for keeping the heat in and cold out, so it’s also a good idea to check that these are in good working order to save on your heating bill.
Check your gutters and drainage
With trees shedding their leaves, winter is a good time to check your gutters for debris. If gutters and downpipes are clogged, clean them out to ensure water doesn’t become backed up, which can cause leaks and other long-term defects such as damp and mould.
Dry leaves can also be a fire hazard, especially in the case of nearby veldfires.
Spare yourself the headache and inconvenience of household malfunctions and unforeseen glitches with these winter safety tips.
For many, the cold weather seems to take us by surprise every year, biting into our bones and leaving us hibernating in our homes until spring wanders in.
This means that we spend a fair amount of time indoors enjoying our homely comforts, however, a fire or a burst water pipe can quickly put an end to such cozy comfort. Especially, with socio-economic factors which force many to make use of fuel-based energy for heating, lighting and food preparation.
That is why it’s essential to have home maintenance and safety procedures in place that can help to mitigate the impact a major household disaster could have on your life.
But where to even start?
Inspect your plumbing
Ensure that external and internal pipes are weatherproof and make sure that there are no leaks or potential hazards. Cold weather leads to freezing, and frozen pipes can inevitably cause plumbing leaks or burst pipes, as can trapped debris and sediment. Ask a plumber to do a basic inspection every one to two years to ensure that everything is in order.
It may seem like a small detail, but it can save you the inconvenience of a burst or leaky water or sewerage pipe.
During winter weather, there's a definite increase in the user of heaters - whether wood, gas, infrared, coil, oil, fan or radiator. There are safety risks that come with using any type of heating, so it’s essential that you remain vigilant and adhere to the specific heating device warnings and instructions.
Here are the golden rules of household heating:
o Keep children and pets at least one metre away from all heating units.
o Never leave a heater unattended - this includes while you are sleeping.
o Open fireplaces should always have a spark guard.
o Always extinguish the fire before you go to bed.
o When using gas heaters and fireplaces, ensure that the room is adequately ventilated.
o Never leave a heater on when you leave the house.
o Do not place objects directly on top of heaters and leave a one-metre object-free space around heating units.
o Always check cords and wiring on electrical heaters before using them and don’t use devices with frayed or damaged wiring.
o Don’t use extension cords or multi-plugs for your heaters.
Store and maintain your heaters correctly
When it comes to heaters, storage is another key tip to keeping your home safe during the winter. Here's a checklist to go through during the warmer months to ensure your heaters are safe to use when the cold sets in:
o Give it a regular dusting – ensure that it’s kept free from dust and debris while being stored to avoid an increased risk of fire.
o Check functionality once a month – turn the heater on each month to check that it’s in working order.
o Check that the cord and plug are in good working order.
o If possible, keep the heater covered to prevent build-up and grime from setting in.
o If you have a fixed fireplace, it should be maintained – an annual inspection of the insulation and chimney is a good idea. Also, keep an eye out for debris that can get trapped in the fireplace. Have the chimney swept as a safety precaution every one to two years.
Check your roof and ceiling
This one is necessary if you live in an area with winter rainfall or frequent ice or sleet issues.
A small leak can become worse in the cold due to expansion and contraction in extreme temperatures. Also, check that roof shingles, tiles or sheets are correctly waterproofed to prevent leaks. Your ceiling and insulation are essential for keeping the heat in and cold out, so it’s also a good idea to check that these are in good working order to save on your heating bill.
Check your gutters and drainage
With trees shedding their leaves, winter is a good time to check your gutters for debris. If gutters and downpipes are clogged, clean them out to ensure water doesn’t become backed up, which can cause leaks and other long-term defects such as damp and mould.
Dry leaves can also be a fire hazard, especially in the case of nearby veldfires.
Spare yourself the headache and inconvenience of household malfunctions and unforeseen glitches with these winter safety tips.
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