Heat your home without the hazards and stay warm and safe this winter

When the temperatures drop, there’s nothing better than cosying up with a warm blanket, a steaming mug of something comforting, and the hum of a heater. But, while you’re keeping out the cold, it’s important to keep safety top of mind as well.

“All too often, we forget that sources of heat can be unsafe. Taking a few simple precautions can go a long way towards protecting your family, your home and everything in it, and helping to ensure you don’t need to claim for loss or damage that could’ve been prevented,” says Wynand van Vuuren, client experience partner at King Price Insurance.

A crackling fire is a great way to heat your home… Provided that the flames are safely contained in the fireplace. To help prevent everything going up in flames, you should maintain your fireplace and clean the chimney regularly. Use a protective screen to contain sparks and keep children and pets at a safe distance. In fact, children should be taught from a young age to steer clear of heaters, fireplaces, and anything that gives off heat. Supervision is non-negotiable.

Electric blankets are another winter staple that need special care and, in this case, the care starts in summer. Electric blankets should never be rolled up or folded, so lay them flat under your mattress to store them. When you unpack them for winter, check the cords and wiring for frays or wear, and don’t use them if they’re damaged. And remember: Dressing in layers is an effective way of keeping your core temperature up, but electric blankets should never be layered.

When it comes to gas heaters, safety starts with the gas itself. Only buy cylinders from reputable suppliers and check that they’ve been pressure-tested recently. Illegally filled cylinders can contain dangerous substances (like jet fuel!) and pose serious health and fire risks. Another safety tip, which sounds counter-intuitive, but really isn’t, is to keep a window open when you’re using gas or a generator. This allows poisonous gases, like carbon monoxide – a colourless, odourless gas that can be deadly – to disperse safely. You should also allow your generator to cool before refuelling it, and ensure that it’s installed by a qualified professional who can supply a certificate of compliance.

Van Vuuren shares five more winter safety tips:

• Don’t place heaters too close to flammable items like curtains, bedding, and furniture. Drying laundry on or near a portable heater is never a good idea.
• Every home should have working smoke detectors and an easily accessible fire extinguisher. Knowing how to use an extinguisher is just as important as having one.
• Don’t overload plug points. “We all use more appliances in colder weather and it’s important to avoid multi-plug overloads, which can result in, you guessed it, fires.”
• Check hot water bottles for leaks or cracks before filling them, to help prevent burns from boiling water.
• Always unplug heating devices before going to sleep or leaving the house. It’s not only safer, it’s also more energy efficient.

“These are all small things but, together, they make a big difference. Insurance is there for peace of mind if things go up in flames, but your first line of defence is always prevention. This winter, take a little extra care to keep your loved ones warm and safe, and to protect everything you’ve worked hard to have,” says Van Vuuren.