As Western New York heads toward heating season, Rich Silvaroli, former fire chief with the Frontier Volunteer Fire Department, said households should not wait until the first cold snap to think about furnace safety.
Here's what to know
In remarks to WIVB, Silvaroli said a furnace or other heating system should be checked, cleaned, and inspected before it is turned on for the first time this season.
As he put it, "Get someone out there, look at it, clean it, make sure that it's tip-top shape."
He also emphasized installing a carbon monoxide detector before any heating equipment starts up.
Silvaroli said, "Before you start anything, you should have a CO detector, right, because these are all fossil fuels. So, if there's some inconsistent burning, you can have CO poisoning."
More background
Silvaroli said space heaters are another major cold weather risk, especially when they are used near blankets, bedding, or other combustible materials.
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"Always watch them if you have to use them, the electrical ones," he said. "A lot of people like to put them at the end of their bed. And what happens? People get warm in the middle of the night, they throw the covers off, and next thing you know, they're on top of the space heater. That's not a good situation."
Silvaroli also said his volunteer department is feeling the effects of a firefighter shortage across New York; during one weekend stretch, the small crew answered 17 calls.
He said volunteering with a fire department can lead to careers in a range of fields.
"We have a lot of members that became City of Niagara Falls Police officers, paid firefighters, paid EMS, Emergency Medical Services, which also went into health care," he said. "I've been here for 34 years, and I just like the friendship I developed over the years, and you're helping a community. How could you beat that? Neighbors helping neighbors."
Where can I learn more?
These stories offer more detail on the kinds of heating issues Silvaroli was talking about as colder weather gets closer. They also illustrate how day-to-day choices around furnaces and home heating can affect safety, performance, and winter costs.
• During a bitter cold spell, a homeowner shared a flickering furnace flame that raised safety fears.
• In many homes, a popular heating hack may waste money and energy instead of helping.
• A popular space heater sold for years at major retailers is now being removed from homes after reports that it can overheat and catch fire.
It pays to think about your heating system before temperatures drop. Safety checks and everyday heating habits can make a real difference once winter sets in.
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