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THE HERALD Wednesday December 19 Page 13 Heating systems should be checked Old faithful the furnace Grandpa had installed sometime after the war ended may not keep your family safe and warm this winter without some tender loving care say experts at On s Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations Making sure your heating system is fully inspected every year is vital for home safety says Bob Clendinmg director of the ministry s Fuels Safety Branch Grandpa s old coalchanged to- togas model is an extreme example of a system that needs care However con sumers should remember that the dangers of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning exist with any type of fuel burning heating systems Natural gas or oil furnaces propane heaters wood stoves and fireplaces none is immune to problems that can have life- threatening consequences if they aren cared for properly Furnaces fueled by oil or natural gas generate the heat that keeps most Ontario homes warm on cold winter nights Heat is produced by combining fuel with the oxygen in the air then igniting it in a furnaces combus tion chamber Combustion always produce a small amount of carbon monox ide explains Clendinmg It s a colorless odorless gas that causes headaches nausea and even death if allowed to collect in the house Making sure the furnace is working properly that enough air is available in the system to make the flame burn cleanly lets the small amount of carbon monoxide produced to simply up and away through the chimney However if the air sup ply is not adequate increasing amounts of carbon monoxide will result Combined with a partially blocked chimney the results could be disaster I can t encourage people enough to help protect their families by ensuring their heating system is in good order Have it checked out by a qualified contractor who is registered with the Fuels Safety Branch says Clendinmg Because lives are at stake it is especially important for do it yourselfers to recognize their limitations Unqualified persons should never tamper with a heating system The branch also advises householders concerned about the safety of their systems to deal only with reputable heating con tractors Ask your friends or fuel supplier for the name of a good contractor Clendinmg says Avoid fly by night operators who may arrive at the door offering special deals When repairs are required find out if the costs are covered by a warranty or maintenance plan If not the branch advises con sumers to get three written estimates before signing on the dotted line These should outline the work to be done and who will do it as well as starting and com pletion dates In addition to having a yearly inspection of the furnaces and chimney made householders can help make sure their heating system continues to keep the chill out If you have a forced air system change furnace filters at least twice a heating season Make sure warm air outlets and cold air returns covered by carpets or blocked by furniture or debris Examine all systems from time to time for signs of corro sion leakage or water stains Keep bleaches paints paint strippers varnishes and water softeners away from your fur nace Make sure the heating system s air supply t blocked by walls or any other tions when you renovate Keep the area around the fur free from dust lint rags paint drain cleaners and any other materials or chemicals that could catch fire or explode if they become too hot Consumers interested in learn ing more about home heating safety can reserve a copy of a new ministry brochure by that ti tie To receive a free copy or in formation about contracts home renovations and many other con sumer issues contact MCCR s Consumer Information Centre at 555 ST Toronto Ontario M7A 2H6 Tel or toll free 800 1142 Ontario residents with an area code may call the line collect The TDD line for the hearing paired is 4163268566 SEASONS GREETINGS To our Clients and Friends we wish you and your family a happy holiday season and the very best for the coming year DUNLOP INSURANCE LIMITED 500 Guelph St Norval Form Home Business Automobile Marine Life Insurance On Monday evening Carolfest 1990 took place at St John United Church on Guelph St in Georgetown Various church choirs from the community took part under the musical direction of Haydn Evans A col Carolfest 1990 lection was held with proceeds going to the Georgetown Food Bank Herald photo by Garry FINAL TOUCH ESTHETICS CHRISTMAS SPECIALS FACIAL The Perfect Gilt FREE MANICURE 10 Toning Session Purchased FREE FACIAL With Every One Month Unlimited Toning Package Purchased Regular Store Hours TIN Dec Dec 24 9 Dec 31 96 CLOSED Dec 25 Jan 1 WATCHES IOSp g2 SESSIONS 8736013 318 ST INDOOR MALL GEORGETOWN Stedmans SCRATCH SAVE SALE ONE DAY ONLY Saturday Dec 22nd From 9am to 6 m Pick up your scratch save card on Saturday n the store Discount applies to all chand se except tobacco Stedmans 8 Main St 2741 ACTON NEW STORE HOURS IN THE NEW YEAR Wed 9 00 6 00 Thurs Fn 9 OO 9 00 Saturday 9 00 6 00