2022 Fall Home and Garden

2022 Fall Home & Garden LINCOLN DAILY NEWS Sept. 23, 2022 Page 21 to keep animals out, or for a better external appearance. They may have even taken things a step further and removed portions of a chimney or internal venting pipes, and left the indoor fireplace for aesthetics or not wanting to remodel. If your home has a fireplace, you will want to be sure it still works and can be used safely. This means that before it ever becomes necessary for use you have your fireplace inspected by a professional and have kept it clean and clear of debris. You should also do a test run on a chilly day to make sure it all works and to estimate how much space you might expect to heat. The major downside to a fireplace is that installing a new one is costly and often troublesome in terms of logistics. But a fireplace is not the only way to generate heat through burning material. A n emergency situation in the coming cold season might bring a unique challenge: keeping warm. This is a problem for anyone that relies on a traditional furnace to heat their home. Luckily, there are other ways to create warmth indoors. The simplest, safest and most DIY- friendly solution is to create a designated heating room. Blankets and towels can block doorway and window drafts, and then you can choose from localized heat sources. While it is not safe to use an oven to heat your home due to carbon monoxide fumes, a sink or tub full of hot water can contribute some heat to a room. Fireplaces One option is to utilize a fireplace. However, just because a home has a fireplace does not mean it’s always usable. Prior homeowners may have had the chimney capped, usually Alternative Sources of Heat For Your House CONTINUED u