While we have been enjoying more than normal sunny and warm days, the fact is that colder weather is coming, sooner or later whether we like it or not.

Is your home set for heating during the upcoming cold winter months? The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is reminding homeowners to prioritize home heating this winter season, including inspecting oil fuel tanks and equipment for leaks and spills.

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Planning ahead for the winter season will help save New Yorkers time, money, and potential headaches later on when it comes to home heating. Annual inspections and other simple precautions can prevent leaks and spills and ensure people, property, and the environment are protected. - NYS DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar

The NYS DEC recommends you do the following for above-ground heating fuel oils storage tanks, and look for:

  • Bent, rusty, or wobbly tank legs or tank located on an unstable foundation
  • Signs of rust, weeps, wet spots, or many dents on the tank's surface
  • Drips or any signs of leaks around the oil filter or valves
  • Fuel oil lines not covered in a protective casing - even if under concrete
  • Overhanging eaves where snow and ice could fall onto the tank
  • Stains on the ground or strong oil odor around the tank
  • Browning, dying, or loss of vegetation around the tank
  • Silent overfill whistle while the tank is being filled - ask the fuel delivery person
  • Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice, or insect nests
  • Signs of spills around the fill pipe or vent pipe
  • Improperly sized vent pipes - ask the fuel delivery person
  • Cracked, stuck, or frozen fuel level gauges or signs of fuel around them

If you have underground heating fuel oils storage tanks, look for:

  • Water in the tank - ask the fuel delivery person to check
  • Oil or oil sheen in your basement sump or French drain
  • Silent overfill whistle while the tank is being filled - ask the fuel delivery person
  • Fully or partially blocked tank vent from snow, ice, or insect nests
  • Signs of spills around the fill pipe or vent pipe
  • Well water has strange tastes or smells
  • Complaints from neighbors of fuel oil smell
  • Using more than a normal amount of fuel

Keep your family and your home safe this winter. To get more information about heating help, natural gas safety, and ways to help improve safety and protect against higher energy costs, visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website.

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