Homeowners have the responsibility to protect their homes from all types of danger, from inclement weather conditions to the very real dangers of a house fire. Your home, and especially your family who lives there, are worth protecting! October is Fire Prevention Month, which means now is the perfect opportunity to give your home an once-over and make sure it’s safe. Before you turn on the furnace or stoke the fireplace and enjoy a cozy cup of cocoa, you’ll want to check these out!
- Understand the different causes of fires. While cooking accidents are the most common source of home fires, faulty heating and electrical appliances are other common causes. If you or a household member smokes, it’s important to consider that this too can elevate the possibility of a house fire.
- When is the last time you changed the batteries in your smoke detector? While it’s often recommended to change batteries when you “spring forward” and “fall back” for the clock change associated with daylight savings, it can be beneficial to check your smoke detectors more often. While checking the smoke detector batteries, consider the placement of the smoke detector themselves. While cooking mishaps in the kitchen are a common source of fires, they can occur virtually anywhere in your home. Consider adding smoke detectors in hallways, near furnaces or heaters, your laundry room, and anywhere else you have large electrical appliances.
- Keep your stove burners and oven clean and clear of grime and cooking debris. Hard grease buildups can become combustible.
- Many household cleaners and chemicals can be flammable. Everything from paints to polishes could be a hazard waiting to happen. Store these items in safe locations, and only use them as recommended. Do not simply leave flammable items unsecured in a garage or shed- a fire in these structures could still cause damage to your property.
- Keep fire extinguishers throughout your home. Did you know that extinguishers have expiration dates? Make sure yours are still good! Most importantly- Make sure everyone in your home knows where extinguishers are, and how to use them properly.
- Remember fire drills from your days back in school? There’s a reason they’re conducted on a regular basis- it’s important to know what to do if you suddenly find yourself in an overwhelming, stressful situation. Make sure everyone knows exactly what to do if a smoke detector goes off, and how to respond. Especially important is a meetup location outside the home- the last thing you want is to not know where a loved one is…you don’t want to have to go running back into a burning home to try and find someone who has already gotten out safely.
- Along with making plans that fire escape plan, cover alternative routes- especially if you have a multi-story home. What are the safest ways for upstairs occupants to get to safety, should a staircase become unavailable? Make sure all doors and windows easily open and aren’t blocked. Make sure everyone knows how to operate locks and the like, so that they don’t become trapped.
- Keep an eye out for frayed or worn cords on devices. These can lead to sparks that could start a fire!
- Make sure your lint trap in the dryer stays clear. The outside dryer vent as well as the hose from the dryer to the wall should also be inspected and cleaned at least once a year.
- All fireplaces and wood-burning stoves should be cleaned and inspected every year by a licensed technician.
- Beware electrical issues! Even if you aren’t an electrician, it helps to know the basics. If you notice a wall outlet or switch isn’t working, take note immediately and call a professional. These could be signs of a serious electrical problem, which could lead to fire. If you noticed a burnt outlet, it’s important to know how to turn off your home’s power safely. If you trip a breaker, be careful before resetting it- if you had a power overload that tripped a breaker in the first place, that means there’s an exceptional power draw on that circuit. This time of year, it can commonly be caused by running too many space heaters or other high-draw electronics at the same time.
- Make sure your space heaters are clean and in good working order before using them. Many heaters will have a switch on the bottom that will automatically activate should the heater tip over. Test this function- it’s a basic safety that could be life saving! Turn heaters off when you’re not around to keep an eye on them. Avoid using space heaters in spaces with carpeting or other flammable surfaces nearby. There’s a lot to consider when using home heaters safely.
- Find out if your local fire department offers free tips or even in-home advice and inspections. These programs can be an excellent way to get an expert opinion on how best to protect your family and home from the dangers of a fire.
In the immortal words of Smokey Bear “Only you can prevent wildfires.” When it comes to homeownership, the same is true: it’s up to you to protect your home by doing what you can to prevent a house fire. These are just a few of the tips you should consider when preparing your home for the fun fall season ahead. Stay warm and safe!
