Heaters Get A Check-Up

25 technicians from 10 different companies were out checking furnaces as part of 'Heat the Country." <br/><br/>The annual event focuses on helping those who can not afford to have their furnaces serviced.

Sunday, October 22nd 2006, 2:33 pm

By: News On 6

25 technicians from 10 different companies were out checking furnaces as part of 'Heat the Country."

The annual event focuses on helping those who can not afford to have their furnaces serviced. The third annual Heat the Country was organized by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, who worked with local social groups to determine which families and individuals received the service free of charge.

Technicians were able to visit more than 60 homes in the Tulsa area Saturday morning. They say that because the elderly and disadvantaged often can not afford to have their furnaces checked, they face the prospect of not having heat. Technicians also say that any unchecked furnace creates a dangerous situation.

Heating technician Brian DeBoer: "heaters cause death every year, it's not just for the elderly, it's for everyone. Everybody ought to have their heater checked and make sure it's working properly, and doing what's supposed to be doing."

Technicians also say when the disadvantaged can not afford to fix their furnaces; they often resort to dangerous ways to stay warm, such as using too many space heaters, which leaves them at risk for fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.