Consumers Offers Seven Tips to Help Homeowners Stay Safe and Warm

With much colder weather expected this week, Consumers Energy is urging homeowners to combat the cold by keeping their heating systems properly maintained and practicing simple safety tips that can help ensure continued warmth. Mary Palkovich, vice president of energy delivery for Consumers says "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." Consumers offers the following tips:

• Furnaces should be inspected once a year using a qualified heating and cooling professional.
• Change air filters at least every other month during the heating season (more often when pets are in the home).
• Perform a visual inspection of the chimney and vent pipes to make sure they are free of obstructions such as leaves and nests (weather permitting).
• Never use gas stoves or charcoal grills to heat homes. They can produce dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide when used improperly.
• Never leave a supplemental heater or fireplace unattended and keep clothing, papers and other flammable items away from them.
• When using generators, make sure they are installed by a licensed electrician and their is adequate ventilation.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector.

Consumers says taking these simple and inexpensive steps can help make furnaces, boilers, hot water and supplemental heaters operate properly and safely.