TULSA — There's no doubting we've had a pretty warm start to our fall, but even though it's a little hot, experts say now is the time to start thinking about your heater.
Cranking up the heat may not be on your mind now, but experts say your heater should be.
"We never know when we're going to get a cold spell especially here in Tulsa," said Adam Williams, owner Polar Bear Jacks. "We want to make sure its up and working before winter comes."
Because when the temperature drops, calls for heater maintenance go up.
"We get booked up like two weeks out," Williams said.
Experts say if you wait too long, you are going to end up having to wait two to three weeks in the cold.
While you may be feeling the freeze, something worse than a cold home could be affecting your family.
"Most people don't think about it," said KC Saechao, heating and air service tech. "Out of sight out of mind, but it's really important to get your furnace checked, because of carbon monoxide. It's a silent killer. It's odorless."
Also, some faulty heaters can cause external damage.
"Switches in the furnace that weren't working properly can cause a fire and potentially damage everything you have," Saechao said.
Experts say a quick check can help you and your family avoid a potential trip to the hospital.
Reports from the CDC show carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for 450 deaths and 21,000 emergency room visits each year.
The Tulsa Fire Department recommends a carbon monoxide monitor and then replacing it every 5-7 years.
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