Winter Fire Safety Tips To Protect Your Home
Winter is a time to stay warm and cozy. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when fires are more likely. As the temperatures fall, space heaters, fireplaces, and other warming devices are employed more frequently. Using these devices increases the likelihood of a fire breaking out, leading to loss of property and even life. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Follow these winter fire safety tips to protect your home.
Maintain Heating Equipment
A month or two before winter arrives, have your furnace, HVAC, and other heat-producing systems cleaned and inspected by a trained technician. These systems keep us warm during winter, but they must be checked to ensure there are no electrical issues or buildup of dust and materials that can catch fire. Be sure to replace or clean the filters yourself throughout the year too.
Be Smart With Fireplace Use
There’s nothing like a warm, cozy fire. However, fireplaces also have the potential to start fires elsewhere in the home. Make sure you have a fireplace screen in front of the blaze to keep sparks from popping out and landing on rugs, carpets, or furniture. Have your chimney swept clean every year or so to prevent soot accumulation, which provides fuel for a potential fire. After enjoying your roaring fireplace, be sure that it’s completely extinguished before you turn in for the night. After all, nighttime is when many fireplace fires start.
Exercise Candle Caution
Candles are charming, adding a romantic, homey glow to a room, especially on a winter’s night. Of course, they’re also prone to starting fires if you aren’t careful. Never leave candles unattended, and use them only on stable, level surfaces. Flameless LED candles are a pleasant alternative, giving off a warm glow without risking a blaze.
Decorate Wisely
Keep fire safety in mind when preparing your home for the holidays. Use decorative lights that have been checked for frayed wires. Confirm whether the lights are meant for indoor or outdoor use. If you have a real holiday tree, water it regularly. Conifers go up in flames quickly at the slightest spark. Before you go to bed, shut off all decorative lights to reduce fire risk.
Those are just a few winter fire safety tips to protect your home. Fire safety and prevention have a long history, so put some of these ideas into practice! Equip your home with smoke detectors, testing them monthly and replacing batteries as needed. Add a carbon monoxide detector as well since some heaters and other warming devices may emit poisonous gas. Keep fire extinguishers handy at every level of your home. Lastly, create an escape plan for you and your family, determining a safe, warm place where you can meet in the event of a fire. Stay safe, take precautions, and enjoy a worry-free winter!