Winter Energy Safety Tips

Stay safe and comfortable

• Carbon monoxide (CO) detection: Xcel Energy strongly recommends you hire a qualified contractor to annually inspect your natural gas appliances and venting systems as the key defense against CO poisoning. Inspections are vitally important because they help prevent a problem or fix one before it is too late. It’s also important to family’s safety to have a CO detector on each floor of your home with sleeping areas (and in some states, it is required). Detectors identify traces of CO in the home and sound an alarm when CO is detected. Detectors that are hard-wired into your home’s electric system should have a battery-backup system if there is a power loss, and a memory function to record and indicate the highest concentration levels detected. CO poisoning can occur year-round, but winter-related events can increase its presence during colder months.
• Fireplaces: A roaring fire can drain your home's supply of fresh air. Either use glass doors on the fireplace or open a window slightly to supplement the air supply to the fireplace.
• Portable heaters: Ensure children and pets can't touch or knock over a heater. To avoid electric shock, don't use an electrical heater near the shower or bathtub. Avoid using fuel-burning heaters in enclosed rooms to prevent CO poisoning.
• Roof and tree raking: Stay more than 10 feet away from power lines when knocking snow off your roof or trees. Contact with power lines can injure or kill.
• Hypothermia: People who are frail, elderly or ill are most susceptible to cold and hypothermia -- a dangerous drop in body temperature. Keep warm by dressing in layers and using blankets. Maintain your household’s temperature at a comfortable level.
• Fire prevention: Make sure your holiday lights are Underwriters' Laboratory approved. Always unplug indoor holiday lights before going to bed or leaving home, and do not use lights designed for indoor use outdoors or outdoor lights indoors. Keep cords away from children and pets, and never place cords under rugs or carpets.
• Prevent snow/ice accumulation on outside gas meters: It’s essential to check frequently for snow and ice accumulation on and above your outside gas meter and gently remove it. A gas meter covered in snow and ice can lead to a dangerous situation.