SAN ANTONIO — As many south Texans begin to turn on their heaters this week, we want to equip you and your family with safety tips you won't want to ignore.
Space heaters, chimneys and fireplaces could spark a fire if you're not careful.
This conversation is becoming more popular as more people seek services to check their fireplaces and chimneys ahead of the early-November cold snap.
Following the historic freeze last February, Javier Alonso, owner of Alamo Chimney Sweepers, says business is booming as the community for the next cold season.
Homeowners are eager to avoid another cold night with no power.
"There was no gas, no nothing, so this (chimney) was the next best thing," said Alonso. "We never know when that can happen again, so it's best to have something that's at least reliable and safe."
Alonso says his company is working nonstop, with call after call coming in for chimney and fireplace inspections.
"(To) see if there's any deficiencies on the back wall, on top of the smoke chamber, anything that can create smoke to go into the walls where it can come out and endanger your family," said Alonso. "Always be sure you get your chimney inspected once a year."
Cracks on the back walls of the fireplace or the lack of a chimney cap could pose a fire hazard, he said. Rodents can make their way into your chimney, obstructing the gases from escaping.
Soot buildup can also spark a fire.
The most common cause of fires during cold snaps, however, is unattended space heaters.
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Joe Arrington, public information officer with the San Antonio Fire Department, says when the first fall cold front hits, calls start flooding in because of smoke in homes or smoke alarms going off.
"If you're gonna use a space heater, if you're gonna build a fire, stay with it. Stay around it. If you leave the room, unplug it," Arrington said.
He also reminds residents to plug space heaters directly into the wall with three feet of space around it. Check the power cord to make sure it's not frayed.
Another tip: Don't leave your space heater running through the night, as it could overheat. Pile up your blankets in bed instead.
As for heating your home with a household appliance, that's a bad idea. Arrington says leaving your stove or oven on throughout the night could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Remember, carbon monoxide is odorless.
"Predictable is preventable. So if you see something and you say, 'Hey, that could be dangerous', it's going to be," he said.
As we "fall back" this weekend, it's also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms.