Furnace Accidents Overview: What should I know?
cartwrightlaw - January 3, 2022 -
The use of furnaces to keep a house warm during the winter or cold temperatures is highly common in American households. While the warmth created by the use of these furnaces is desirable and often necessary, furnaces can be dangerous and might cause accidents that can be devastating or even deadly. If you experienced injuries or property damage due to a defective or malfunctioning furnace, let a San Francisco personal injury attorney assess your rights.
Gas Furnaces Can Be Dangerous
Improperly maintained or defective furnaces can start fires and leak toxic exhaust fumes into a home or building, often resulting in injury or death. According to the National Fire Protection Association, most home fires are ignited by cooking fires and faulty heaters, with four out of five fires causing serious burn injuries or deaths. Over five recent years, fire departments across the U.S. responded to 343,400 house fires, which led to 11,220 injuries and 2,620 deaths.
Furnace Fires
Most furnace fires happen during the winter months when people have their heaters running around the clock to keep the home warm. Furnace fires are often caused by defective equipment, faulty wiring, blocked air vents, dirty air filters, improper insulation, and poor or lack of required regular maintenance. Any of these failures can cause a furnace to overheat and catch fire. Many of these furnace fires cause injury or death when occupants of the home are asleep, and there is no fire alarm to go off and wake them up when a fire starts.
How To Prevent Furnace Fires
- Look out for signs of any potential problem, such as charring or soot on the outside of your furnace. If you see either of those conditions, turn off the unit and call for an HVAC professional to fix the problem as soon as possible.
- If the furnace turns on but only blows cold air, you should immediately turn off the system and have it checked by an HVAC professional.
- Make sure the area around your furnace is clear of all debris and clutter. Make sure your furnace has plenty of airflows and keep away from the furnace area anything combustible such as paint thinners or gasoline.
- Replace your HVAC air filter every three months – or more frequently if the filter gets dirty faster. You should also have an HVAC professional service your furnace on an annual basis, and specifically before starting up the heater for the winter.
Furnace Accident Injuries
Furnace accident injuries can range from minor smoke inhalation to death. When a furnace explodes, and there is someone near it, that person can suffer burns that can range from first-degree to third-degree burns. In some cases, the fires can produce toxic fumes that could cause illness to those in the home during the accident.
Speak with a San Francisco Furnace Accident Lawyer Today
If you are the victim of a furnace accident, contact us, The Cartwright Law Firm for a free case review to determine whether you have a claim to recover compensation for your injuries. Many furnace accidents are the result of defective equipment, and this can be a basis to file a products liability case.
The use of furnaces to keep a house warm during the winter or cold temperatures is highly common in American households. While the warmth created by the use of these furnaces is desirable and often necessary, furnaces can be dangerous and might cause accidents that can be devastating or even deadly. If you experienced injuries or property damage due to a defective or malfunctioning furnace, let a San Francisco personal injury attorney assess your rights.
Gas Furnaces Can Be Dangerous
Improperly maintained or defective furnaces can start fires and leak toxic exhaust fumes into a home or building, often resulting in injury or death. According to the National Fire Protection Association, most home fires are ignited by cooking fires and faulty heaters, with four out of five fires causing serious burn injuries or deaths. Over five recent years, fire departments across the U.S. responded to 343,400 house fires, which led to 11,220 injuries and 2,620 deaths.
Furnace Fires
Most furnace fires happen during the winter months when people have their heaters running around the clock to keep the home warm. Furnace fires are often caused by defective equipment, faulty wiring, blocked air vents, dirty air filters, improper insulation, and poor or lack of required regular maintenance. Any of these failures can cause a furnace to overheat and catch fire. Many of these furnace fires cause injury or death when occupants of the home are asleep, and there is no fire alarm to go off and wake them up when a fire starts.
How To Prevent Furnace Fires
- Look out for signs of any potential problem, such as charring or soot on the outside of your furnace. If you see either of those conditions, turn off the unit and call for an HVAC professional to fix the problem as soon as possible.
- If the furnace turns on but only blows cold air, you should immediately turn off the system and have it checked by an HVAC professional.
- Make sure the area around your furnace is clear of all debris and clutter. Make sure your furnace has plenty of airflows and keep away from the furnace area anything combustible such as paint thinners or gasoline.
- Replace your HVAC air filter every three months – or more frequently if the filter gets dirty faster. You should also have an HVAC professional service your furnace on an annual basis, and specifically before starting up the heater for the winter.
Furnace Accident Injuries
Furnace accident injuries can range from minor smoke inhalation to death. When a furnace explodes, and there is someone near it, that person can suffer burns that can range from first-degree to third-degree burns. In some cases, the fires can produce toxic fumes that could cause illness to those in the home during the accident.
Speak with a San Francisco Furnace Accident Lawyer Today
If you are the victim of a furnace accident, contact us, The Cartwright Law Firm for a free case review to determine whether you have a claim to recover compensation for your injuries. Many furnace accidents are the result of defective equipment, and this can be a basis to file a products liability case.
“Our successful case results are a reflection of the values and virtues we believe in and uphold at Cartwright Law Firm. Nothing stops us from pursuing justice on behalf of those who need it.
Robert E. Cartwright Jr.
Founder and Managing Partner