Homeowners can take preventive measures to help safeguard their homes this winter. According to the US Fire Administration, residential fires are more common in winter months than any other time of year. As the colder winter months arrive, the danger of fire damage becomes more common due the increase in cooking and heating fires.
With high energy costs, homeowners may use other means of heating their homes that are cheaper choices over the public utilities. Though these are good options to keep costs down, they do pose the threat of fire that are preventable. These items include fireplaces, space heaters, wood stoves and other less expensive options. To avoid these types of fire damage, safety precautions should always be taken.
Quick Tips:
- Have your furnace inspected to ensure that it is in good working condition every year
- Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device. Not only is it a safety hazard, it can be a source of potentially toxic fumes
- If you use an electric heater, be sure not to overload the circuit. Only use extension cords which have the necessary rating to carry an amp load. TIP: Choose an extension cord the same size or larger than the appliance electrical cord
- Avoid using electrical space heaters in bathrooms or other areas where they may come in contact with water
- If you have frozen water pipes, never try to thaw them with a blow torch or other open flame, otherwise the pipe could conduct the heat and ignite the wall structure inside the wall space. Use hot water or a as a hand held dryer for thawing
- If windows are used as emergency exits in your home, practice using them in the event fire should strike. Be sure that all the windows open easily. Home escape ladders are recommended
- If there is a fire hydrant near your home you can assisst the fire department by keeping the hydrant clear of snow so in the event it is needed, it can be located
- Make sure every level of your home has a working smoke alarm, and check and clean it on a monthly basis
- Plan and practice a home escape plan with your family
Finally, make sure to review your homeowner’s policy with your insurance agent to verify your coverage over your home and its contents in the event fire damage occurs in your home.
