Monday, December 28, 2009

Another Type of Homeowners Insurance

With winter temperatures in Myrtle Beach being fairly mild, many locals may be tempted to save money on heating their homes by turning the central heat very low and using a kerosene or space heater.

Although we can hardly blame people for trying to save money in this economy, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commissionusing warns that these types of heating devices cause around 22,000 residential fires every year. Around 300 deaths are a result of using various space heater types.

Here are some CPSC safety tips for buying and using space heaters:

  • Select a space heater with a guard around the flame area or heating element. Place the heater on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Keep the heater at least three feet from bedding, drapes, furniture, or other flammable materials.
  • Choose a space heater that has been tested and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. These heaters meet specific safety standards.
  • Keep doors open to the rest of the house if you are using an unvented fuel-burning space heater. This helps prevent pollutant build-up and promotes proper combustion. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to provide sufficient combustion air to prevent CO production.
  • Never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep. Never place a space heater close to any sleeping person.
  • Turn the space heater off if you leave the area. Keep children and pets away from space heaters.
  • Have a smoke detector with fresh batteries on each level of the house and a carbon monoxide detector outside your sleeping area.
  • Be aware that mobile homes require specially designed heating equipment. Only electric or vented fuel-fired heaters should be used.
  • Have gas and kerosene space heaters inspected annually.
Be sure to maintain your SC homeowners insurance or renters insurance always. If the worst were to happen, you wouldn't want to compound the problem with a lapse in your insurance coverage.

Visit our website for more tips on SC car insurance, home, and condo insurance.

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