With the holiday season now in full swing and the earliest Houston snow fall on record, we wanted to remind all of our homeowners of some important seasonal tips:

#1 If you’re turning on your heater for the first time this year, don’t mistake the burnt, mechanical smell for natural gas. When the heater is turned on after a long period of non-use, it may emit a burnt smell; this is normal and will dissipate after a few hours.

#2 When you turn on your gas fireplace for the first time, don’t worry if it doesn’t start right after you press the “On” button. The gas line may need to prime if the fireplaces has not been used for an extended period of time. Wait a few minutes then try it again.

#3 If you’re leaving town for the holidays and it’s forecasted to freeze, protect your pipes by leaving your faucets dripping slightly or by shutting off your main water line, then draining all of your faucets.

#4 Remember to cover your plants and bring your pets indoors if it’s forecasted to freeze!

#5 When decorating for the holidays, be careful not to overload your circuits with too many lights.

#6 If you plan on deep frying a turkey this year, don’t use the deep fryer in your garage! If you’re deep frying in your driveway, be careful of dripping grease, which will stain your concrete.

#7 Burning candles, especially scented, colored candles with lead wicks, can release soot into the air. As the air is circulated and forced under closed under closed doors, it can stain carpets and trim. It’s best to only burn candles for a short period of time, avoid candles with lead wicks and leave all interior doors open while burning candles.

#8 Be especially mindful of your personal safety during this time of year. If you’re unloading gifts from your car into your home, don’t leave the garage door open!

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This post was written by Sandcastle Homes