PG&E urges safety when heating your home

As cold temperatures settle over the Central Coast this week, Pacific Gas and Electric Company is urging customers to be cautious when heating their homes.

The company says electric space heaters pose the threat of fire when not properly used or monitored and fuel-burning appliances, such as gas furnaces, stoves and water heaters, can increase the risk of toxic carbon monoxide poisoning.

“We want our customers to be warm this winter, but most importantly we want them to be safe. Space heaters should only be used as a supplemental source of heat. They are not intended to replace the home’s central heating system and, when not used properly, can create serious safety hazards,” said Jake Zigelman, Director of Local Customer Experience at PG&E.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States and accounted for 56,000 structure fires per year between 2009-2014. Nearly half of the fires occured from December through February.

On Monday, PG&E released tips for the safe heating of homes:

· Place space heaters on level, hard, nonflammable surfaces, not on rugs or carpets

· Don’t put objects on space heaters or use them to dry clothes or shoes

· Turn off space heaters when leaving the room or going to sleep

· Keep all flammable materials at least three feet away from heating sources and supervise children when a space heater or fireplace is being used

· Never use cooking devices such as ovens or stoves for home heating purposes

· Install carbon monoxide detectors to warn you if concentration levels are high. As of 2011, all California single-family homes are required to have carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure they are installed near sleeping areas and replace the batteries at least twice a year

· When using the fireplace to stay warm, make sure the flue is open so that the byproducts of combustion can vent safely through the chimney

· Never use products inside the home that generate dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, such as generators, barbecues, propane heaters and charcoal

The company urged customers who suspect they have a problem with a natural gas appliance to call PG&E at (800) 743-5000 to schedule an inspection. Anyone who detects carbon monoxide in their home should get out immediately and call 911.