Fall has arrived in Texas, and with the change of seasons homeowners' thoughts turn to the first cold snap and necessary furnace maintenance.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation encourages consumers to do their homework before hiring a contractor and safeguard their family by making sure the contractor is licensed.

Texas licensed contractors are properly trained, are insured and have demonstrated they have the skills and experience to service heating and air conditioning equipment.

"Hiring an unlicensed contractor to perform maintenance on your heating or air-conditioning unit endangers your family," said William Kuntz, TDLR's executive director. "Improperly serviced equipment or poorly wired equipment is dangerous and can cause fires or emit hazardous levels of carbon monoxide. Consumers also run a financial risk when using unlicensed contractors."

Kuntz said Texas law requires licensed contractors to carry insurance to cover the cost of the repairs should their work prove to be defective.

TDLR offers the following tips to help identify licensed contractors:

• State-issued license numbers which begin with TACL should appear on company vehicles, business cards and invoices. If no license number is evident, the contractor is most likely not licensed to work in the state.

• Consumers can check the status of a license at the TDLR Web site, www.license.state.tx.us, or through TDLR's customer service lines at (800) 803-9202 or (512) 463-6599.

• Consumers also can research a licensed contractor's enforcement complaint history on the TDLR Web site or by calling customer service.

An additional safety measure involves a new rule requiring airconditioning technicians to be registered to work in the state.

The registration process includes a criminal background check of the applicant, thus ensuring the wellbeing of your family.

Hiring licensed air-conditioning contractors and registered air-conditioning technicians is a safety issue, said Kuntz.

"Are you willing to risk your home and the health and safety of your family to someone who has not proven they are competent and trustworthy?"

Consumers who are unhappy with the quality of the work performed or who believe a contractor is not licensed can report complaints against contractors on TDLR's Web site.

TDLR recommends homeowners visit the department's website, before the first blue norther of winter arrives and they switch the thermostat from cool to heat.