Household heating oil spills cause health hazards in Fairfield County homes

10/20/2017 (Permalink)

If you have an oil spill in your Bridgewater home, call SERVPRO of Newtown and Southern Litchfield County to immediately start the clean up process.

Heating oil is used to heat the majority of homes in Litchfield County, CT. Most of us have no problems with heating oil and it's a relatively safe way of heating our homes.  Yet, our Brookfield office received several calls from homeowners who had experienced home heating oil spills last year. Typically, these spills occur when a tank is accidentally overfilled or there is a leak in the oil tank.  

If a person inhales the vapors from a heating oil spill, it can cause negative health effects.  If your oil company is responsible for a spill, you will most likely be informed of it without harm to the people in your household. There are some signs you can look for if you are concerned about an undetected slow leak. Inspect your tank and look for signs of rust and drips around the tank.

While you wait for our arrival, we advise against attempting to clean up the spill yourself. You should ventilate the area where the leak occurred (most likely the basement) by opening windows and doors. Turn off all sources of flames or sparks in the area, such as pilot lights in water heaters and furnaces. Try to contain the fumes out of the living space by closing vents and doors to the basement if possible. If your oil company accidentally overfills your tank, call SERVPRO of Newtown & Southern Litchfield County at (203) 743-5362 for emergency clean up service.