Winter months are known for the festive holidays, time spent with friends and families, and keeping warm and cozy. It is also the top season for house fires because we’re home more, and we need more heat. At ServiceMaster Restore®, we want to make sure that you stay safe over the winter months. Use these tips to properly manage the most common winter fire risks while you enjoy time at home.
CANDLES
Candles are popular for their charming glow and lovely aromas. During this time, up to 25 candle fires are reported each day. When using candles, follow these safety tips:
Keep candles at least 12 inches away from any flammable objects.
Do not leave small children or pets alone in a room with a lit candle.
Blow out candles when going to bed and every time you leave the room.
SPACE HEATERS
Half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February. Space heaters are a convenient way to fight against the cold. 1 in every 7 home fires and 1 in every 5 home fire deaths involves heating equipment. When using a space heater, keep your family and your home safe by following these tips:
Keep flammable objects at least 3 feet away from a space heater.
Turn off the space heater when going to bed or leaving the room.
Have your heating equipment inspected and cleaned by a qualified professional before each winter season.
Install carbon monoxide alarms and test them at least once a month.
Plug only 1 heat-producing appliance (like a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.
FIREPLACES
There's nothing cozier than warming up by a fireplace on a cold winter night. Limit your risk of fire and smoke damage by following these tips:
Make sure the damper is open before lighting the fireplace and stays open until all ashes are completely cooled.
Keep the screen closed while the fireplace is lit.
Always put the fire out before going to bed or leaving your home.
Keep any flammable objects far away from the fireplace.
Store cooled ashes in a tightly covered metal container outside at least 10 feet from any buildings.
USE THESE ADDITIONAL HOME FIRE SAFETY TIPS YEAR-ROUND:
Install a smoke detector on every level of your home.
Test your smoke detectors once a month and replace batteries when needed.
Create a family emergency evacuation plan and practice it at least twice a year.
Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away from your home as possible.
If you decorate outdoors, use the proper gauge extension cord and weatherproof outlets to prevent electrical fires.
Turn off electric blankets when not in use.
At ServiceMaster 5 Points, we know how important it is to keep our families safe. We also know that even if you follow our winter fire safety tips perfectly, accidents can still happen. In the event that the unimaginable happens to you, call on us to help. Our fire damage technicians use superior quality tools, innovative techniques, and decades of professional expertise to get your home back to normal as quickly as possible.
