NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - A Public Service Announcement
From the City of Bend Fire Department & Deschutes Co. Fire District #2

CONTACT: Dan Derlacki, Fire Inspector, City of Bend Fire Department, 322-6385

With the colder weather upon us for the winter, Central Oregon residents are reminded to keep those furnaces clean and in proper working order.

Many homes in Central Oregon are heated by a central furnace system. There are several precautions residents should take to keep their furnace working properly and safely. Monthly and yearly maintenance can prevent many of the peoples homeowners have with their furnaces.

MONTHLY checks and maintenance:

• Check the filters – ensure the filters are clean, replace them if dirty.
• Look for build up – look for soot and/or discoloration around vent openings or access doors.
• Check the venting system – soft, rusted, or broken vent piping can release unwanted combustion products indoors such as carbon monoxide. This tasteless, colorless, odorless gas can be very harmful to the health of anyone in the home and possibly deadly. A carbon monoxide detector is always a good idea in your home no matter how you heat your home.
• Ensure all panels, grills, and grates are properly attached – this will ensure proper operation of the heating unit throughout the year.
• Keep a clear area around the furnace – this will reduce the likelihood of a fire starting next your furnace due to combustibles being stored to close.

YEARLY checks and maintenance:

• Replace filters – if you haven’t already. Replace your filters at least yearly or as directed by the manufacture.
• Have your furnace serviced yearly by a qualified professional – the professional will ensure proper working order of all parts within the furnace and can replace any worn or broken parts before the unit is used for the year.

As with all home heating devices please make sure you have working smoke alarms in your home. Smoke alarms, along with carbon monoxide detectors, can help ensure your families safety in the event of a fire.

If you notice the furnace is not working properly, hear abnormal noises coming from the unit, or smell odors coming from the unit cease using the unit and call a repair professional immediately.

More information about home heating safety, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors can be obtained from the City of Bend Fire Department, 322-6309, or by contacting your home heating provider.

Working Smoke Alarms, Home Fire Escape Plans, and Home Fire Sprinklers save lives. Test your smoke alarm and practice your Home Fire Escape Plan today!

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