Best in Show or Halloween Hazard?
On the Up-and-Up
For many kids, picking out a costume is the best part of Halloween. Will they be a spooky witch, a wildcat,
3 SIGNS IT’S TIME FOR A FURNACE TUNEUP
or their favourite superhero? There are so many options! But in all the fun, it can be easy for parents to overlook certain risks that Halloween costumes can pose. Here are important safety tips to remember when choosing the best Halloween costume.
With cooler, wetter weather knocking on our doors, many of us will be firing up the furnace for the first time in several months. When that happens, many homeowners often notice things about their heating system that aren’t quite right. A yearly inspection of your heating system, along with the rest of your HVAC system, is highly recommended by heating professionals and furnace manufacturers. However, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to decide against it or to simply forget about it. It’s only when they turn on their system after an idle period that they realize the importance of this annual inspection. If you haven’t scheduled an inspection yet this year, now is a great time to take care of it. Additionally, if you notice any of the following issues with your heating system, it may be time to call in the pros. Increased Bills While energy bills can vary year to year, if you notice a discrepancy from the last heating season, or over the last month, there is a good chance the efficiency of your system has plummeted. A small bump in your heating bill generally indicates increased usage, but a big bump can spell trouble. Increased Noise While furnaces aren’t known to be the quietest operators, they should not wake up everyone in the house when they kick on. If you notice unusual or excessive noise coming from your furnace or ducts, it may be a sign that a fan, motor, belt, or other component has gone bad.
Look for fire-resistant
costumes. Candles inside jack-o’-lanterns and other open flames are everywhere on Halloween night,
so make sure your child’s costume isn’t a fire hazard. Most store-bought costumes are made from fire-resistant materials, but you should still check the labels on all costumes, wigs, and accessories. The same goes when you’re buying fabric for homemade costumes. And remember, fire-resistant is not the same as fireproof. While fire-resistant material takes longer to burn and can be put out quickly, it can still catch fire and cause serious injuries. Remind your child to use caution around open flames and avoid costumes with flimsy, hanging components, like flowing sleeves, long skirts, and capes. Test makeup first. Halloween is a great time to have fun with face paint, and makeup is a good alternative to masks, which can obscure a child’s vision. Before letting your child cover their face in makeup from the Halloween store, test their skin for allergic reactions by putting just a little bit on the back of their hand first. Practice prop safety. What’s a Jedi Knight without her lightsaber or a wizard without his magic wand? The right accessories can really bring a costume together, but it’s important that props — especially weapon props, like swords, knives, or guns — are not mistaken for the real thing. Choose props that are obviously fake, with round edges made from soft, flexible material.
Increased Chill You have your home set to a
comfortable 22 C, and yet it doesn’t feel like it. So, you up your thermostat by another degree or two, but nothing changes.
This can be a sign of a few different things. If the furnace
seems to be operating, you may simply have blocked ducts. It’s also possible that the furnace is unable to
And if your child wants to wear their Halloween costume to school or some other event, check the rules on props beforehand to avoid any trouble. Halloween is a night for ghosts and goblins to come out to play, and with these tips, your kids can safely dress up and join in the fun.
produce heat like it used to. It may be an issue with a
component, or the unit may be on its last legs.
2 • www.lewismaclean.com
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