A recent study showed, 890 people die in winter home fires each year. This sad fact shows the need to be aware of dangers present in our homes. How can you prevent house fires this winter? Lets take the most common causes of these fires, and discuss how to prevent them.
1. Christmas Lights
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas lights cause 40% of Christmas tree fires. How can you prevent this from happening to you? Put into practice a few of these suggestions. For example, if you plug more than three sets of lights into one extension cord, you risk over heating. Also, don’t use nails or screws to put lights up, they could cut wires and end up shocking you or becoming a fire hazard. Finally, make it your habit to shut off lights before you leave home or go to bed.
2. Furnace Puff Back
First of all, a furnace puff back is when a furnace doesn’t ignite when it should. Eventually, when vapors build up and the igniter finally triggers, an explosion occurs and soot and debris blow through the system. Obviously, this could become a fire hazard. In order to prevent puff back, be sure to inspect the furnace periodically. For example, check for signs of oil leaks, and pay attention to any odd smells or soot in the furnace room.
3. Fireplaces
When it comes to heating your home with a wood or gas, it is important to take steps to prevent a fire. For example, never burn painted, chemically treated or wood made from compressed sawdust and wax. Instead, try to get seasoned wood, or wood that has dried outdoors for at least six months. Also, keep anything flammable away from the fire. All gas fireplaces should have a safety barrier screen on the glass. Finally, always be sure to completely put a fire out. Never let a fire smolder.
4. Candles
December is the peak season for candle fires. Therefore, lets put into practice the following safety habits to prevent a house fire this winter. First, always put a candle out when you leave a room. Second, NEVER sleep with candles on, even in a power outage, use flashlights instead. Also, keep candles away from anything that can burn, like clothing and hair. Finally, be careful not to burn a candle all the way down to it’s container or holder.
5. Cooking
During the wintertime, people bake and cook inside more often than other times throughout the year. Most cooking fires happen while cooking with grease. In the event of a grease fire, never try to put it out with water. Instead, shut the burner off and cover the pan with a lid to stop the flow of oxygen. Keep in mind, burning pans should never be removed. Finally, never leave food unattended. Even if food is at a slow simmer, you can quickly forget and a fire could easily break out.
Hopefully, you found these tips helpful. Many household items can be hazardous, if not used properly. Remember, by taking a little time to prepare and be aware of your surroundings, much damage can be prevented. If you have any questions about fires, fire prevention or even fire restoration, feel free to call our office at 937-507-2927. Feel free to check out how other customers feel about our company!