TULSA, Okla. — Everyone has different ways of keeping cozy and warm at home. Though, some heating options can be dangerous. That is why Tulsa contractors have been and will stay busy, as the cold settles in.
"When the cold gets here or crazy weather comes in, we get the frantic or emergency calls," says Devon Bridges with Vision Air Services.
One call was just for a furnace maintenance check before the family cranks the heat.
"When it's 20 degrees outside, we got to get people taken care of. Inclement weather -- people tend to get a little more, 'It's not heating properly,' stuff like that. It's definitely better safe than sorry."
Sorry can turn deadly fast.
"Cracked heat exchangers kind of give you a carbon monoxide potential in the home. That's probably the most dangerous part about a heater."
An easy way to protect from carbon monoxide poisoning is having detectors and scheduling yearly heater checks.
"If you have a problem with it or you smell gas or you're getting headaches, turn it off and call a heating and air company."
Trying to DIY could cause more damage and be more dangerous.
Space heaters are another danger. They have taken a lot of homes down.
One woman woke up to smoke, Tuesday morning. The fire started from the space heater in her living room. The trailer is a total loss, but no one was hurt.
Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything flammable, follow the directions they come with, and make sure they are not knocked over.
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