You may be surprised to learn that in a city known for its clear blue skies, a major storm is on the way.  This weekend, San Diego County is bracing for another winter storm that is expected to bring heavy rainfall and even some snow. Chances are you may be staying home and curling up next to a fire to wait out the bad weather. In that case, with just a little preparation, you can rest easy with the confidence that your residence is winter ready.

If you own a fireplace, wood-burning stove, portable heater, gas or an electric furnace you need to take steps to make sure that they are safe and used properly. Have your furnace inspected to make sure that it will operate properly in cold weather. Clean filters and vents will go a long way to keep your furnace a source or warmth rather than a cause of a fire loss. An inspection should also make certain that your furnace is not a creating a dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.

Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves should also be inspected and, if necessary, thoroughly cleaned. Creosote, a tar-like byproduct of burning wood, builds up in chimney and stove flues very quickly. Even a single wood-burning season could produce enough buildup to create a fire or severe smoke hazard. Don't do the inspection yourself. It's worth the cost to have a professional inspect and clean your fireplace or stove.

Finally, make sure you have fire/smoke and carbon monoxide detectors properly installed and in good working order. Test them and put in new batteries. Small expense, big payoff.

As always, an insurance professional is a valuable source of safety and information. Don't hesitate to contact a Konecki Insurance agent to discuss your questions.