TSSA’s Top Home Safety Tips for a Harm-Free Winter Season

Posted Tuesday December 21, 2021

Posted By: Elizabeth Leal

Category: Safety Exchange Blog

With weather conditions ranging from snow and ice to strong winds and chilling temperatures, winter tends to keep many Ontarians spending more time indoors. Have peace of mind knowing your home is a safe haven this season by following these essential winter safety tips. 

Carbon Monoxide Safety

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odourless and poisonous gas produced by common household appliances, such as your furnace, fireplace, gas stove, propane heater, kerosene lantern or any other fuel-burning equipment.

• Eliminate CO at the source: Get your home’s fuel-burning appliances and equipment inspected annually by a certified technician who works for a TSSA-registered heating contractor. To find a TSSA-registered contractor in your area, visit www.COsafety.ca.
• Install certified CO alarms: They will warn you of rising CO levels, giving you time to take potentially life-saving action. For proper installation locations, follow the manufacturer’s instructions or ask your local fire department.
• Know the symptoms of CO poisoning: They are similar to the flu – nausea, headache, burning eyes, confusion and drowsiness – except there is no fever. If these symptoms appear, immediately get everyone, including pets, outside to fresh air and call 911 and/or your local fire department.

Home Heating System Maintenance

It’s important to understand your role in maintaining your home heating system.

When to Do it Yourself:

• Examine the heating system for signs of deterioration, such as water stains, corrosion or leakage.
• Clean the furnace air filters in forced-air systems frequently.
• Keep the area around the furnace free from materials or chemicals that could catch fire or explode if they get too hot.
• Ensure warm-air outlets and cold-air outlets are not covered.
• Make sure walls, obstructions or new renovations do not block the heating system’s air supply.

When to Call a Professional: 

• If your heating system stops working, check the electrical fuse, the switch and the thermostat, and then call for a heating technician.
• If snow or ice covers your outdoor gas meter, contact your fuel supplier.
• To find a TSSA-registered fuels contractor near you, visit www.COsafety.ca. Under no circumstances should an unqualified person tamper with or perform any work on heating systems.

Fuel-Burning Portable Space Heater Placement

Last but not least, never use fuel-burning (such as propane or kerosene) portable space heaters and outdoor heating devices in any enclosed space, as they can lead to deadly carbon monoxide exposure, fires and other harmful risks.

Visit www.SafetyInfo.ca for more winter weather safety information. Cheers to a safe and cozy winter season.