7 Tips for Homeowners to Stay Safe and Warm This Winter

Last winter brought record-setting cold and snow.

Be prepared this winter with 7 tips from Consumers Energy to help keep homeowners safe and warm this heating season.

Regular maintenance is key to heating safety.

“We want homeowners and their families to stay both safe and warm throughout winter’s cold grasp, and there are some inexpensive and easy steps that can help,” said Mary Palkovich, vice president of energy delivery for Consumers Energy.

Here are some maintenance reminders and other tips from Consumers Energy for a safe winter.

1. Furnaces should be inspected once a year using a qualified appliance service/heating and cooling professional.
2. Change air filters at least every other month (more often when pets are in the home) during the heating season.
3. Weather permitting, perform a visual inspection of the chimney and vent pipes to make sure they are free of obstructions such as leaves and nests.
4. Never use gas stoves or charcoal grills to heat homes. These appliances can produce dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide when used improperly.
5. Never leave a supplemental heater or fireplace unattended. Keep clothing, papers and other flammable items well away from gas appliances and supplemental heaters.
6. When using generators, make sure they are connected by a licensed electrician and only operated where there is adequate ventilation. Never use a generator in basement, enclosed garage, breezeway or near air intakes.
7. Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm that will sound if dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are present in a home or building.