Tips for Preventing Fires During the Winter

11/8/2024 (Permalink)

The damage to the townhome is due to a residential fire.

Did you know that home fires occur more during the winter than in any other season? Here are some tips for preventing damage to your home:

• Keep any flammable materials and items at least three feet away from all heat sources, like space heaters, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, candles, etc.
• Place space heaters on a level, hard, and nonflammable surface and only plug one appliance into an electrical outlet at a time. Keep dust, dirt, and any other debris clear from heaters.
• Turning off and putting out all heat sources like candles, space heaters, fireplaces, and stoves, before leaving your home is the most preventable cause of fire.
• Never disable a smoke or carbon dioxide alarm and double check that all alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button to ensure that they are functioning properly and will alert you in case of an emergency. Disabling them or neglecting to test them can leave you unaware of a potential fire or gas leak.
• Chimneys and heating systems should be cleaned and inspected annually. Soot and debris can accumulate, creating a fire hazard. Scheduling an annual cleaning and inspection by a professional can help prevent blockages and overheating, reducing the risk of a fire starting in these areas.
• Remove clutter from home, ensuring doorways, hallways, and windows are accessible.