Senior Beat
by Carol Higgins Taylor
Special to The Weekly
Baby, it’s cold outside is an understatement. Winter has settled in bringing with it single digit temperatures and below.
Heating a home can be challenging even with oil prices dropping. We all probably rely on a variety of heating sources to stay toasty. Fireplaces, wood burning stoves and space heaters are popular but each can pose a safety risk.
Here are some tips to help ensure safe usage of these heat sources:
• Use a glass or metal screen in front of a fireplace opening to prevent embers or sparks from escaping or material not intended to be burned from entering the fireplace.
• Do not use excessive amounts for paper to build up a roaring fire. That can get out of hand.
• Always follow directions when using synthetic logs. Never split one to quicken a fire and do not burn more than one at a time.
Wood stoves are a common choice for heat. Just be sure they are properly installed and maintained. Have the chimney professionally cleaned every single year.
For many seniors, space heaters are the sensible solution. While these heaters can be effective, they also can be dangerous if not handled properly.
When using a kerosene heater, there is a lot to think about:
• Give the heaters 3 feet of space on all sides and never place them near anything flammable, such as papers, clothing or bedding.
• Make sure there is proper ventilation. Burning fuel, such as kerosene, coal or propane produces deadly fumes. Invest in a carbon monoxide alarm and install it near the sleeping area. These are readily available and just plug into an electrical outlet. And don’t forget to maintain your smoke detectors as well.
• Make sure the heater has an emergency shut off in case it is accidentally knocked over.
• Be very careful when refilling the heater. Never do it indoors or when the unit is hot. Also, avoid overfilling the tank and use only fuel recommended for that particular heater.
Now, an electric space heater may seem like a truly simple option, but there are still cautions to take. Does it get hot all over or only where the heat comes out? Are there heat-seeking pets or curious grandchildren who could get burned? Is there an automatic shut-off if should it fall over?
When using an electric heater, be careful of the cord, which could be a tripping hazard, and never place it under a rug or let it get “pinched” by anything.
Be sure your heater is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed. Operate it exactly as specified in the manual and give the heater 3 feet of space all the way around it.
While all these methods of heating your home may be perfectly acceptable, bear in mind that they can be a major contributing factor in residential fires.
These suggestions are mostly common sense, but sometimes, especially if in a hurry, it’s easy to “just this once” ignore the obvious, such as leaving your space heater unattended. This is a serious “don’t.” A little caution goes a long way to ensuring a warm but safe season.
And speaking of safety and caution, is your house clearly labeled so that emergency crews can find you? If not, think about investing one of the Penobscot County Triad house number signs. They are highly reflective when car lights shine on them. They are inexpensive and critical in an emergency when help is trying to find you. Call Eastern Area Agency on Aging at 800-432-7812 to for more information.
Carol Higgins Taylor is an advocate for seniors and owns a public relations firm in Bangor. Email her at 4chtaylor@gmail.com.