It’s not only burst pipe and ice dam season: it’s also fire season.
In order to prevent the problem, you should know the causes of the problem.
Let’s take a look at the top causes of home fires:
1. Candles
Safety tips:
- Never leave a candle burning near flammable items.
- Never leave a candle burning in a child’s room or an unoccupied room.
- Make sure candles fit securing into candle holders so they won’t tip over.
- Blow out any candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.
2. Smoking
Safety tips:
- If you smoke, consider smoking outside.
- Use wide, sturdy ashtrays to catch butts and ashes.
- Look for cigarette butts under furniture and between seat cushions to make sure no lit butts have fallen someplace where they can’t be seen.
- Don’t smoke in bed, when you’re tired or around medical oxygen.
3. Electrical & Lighting
Safety tips:
- Don’t overload outlets or electrical cords.
- Make sure you have the right cord for the job – inside cords for inside, heavy duty/outside cords for outdoor use.
- Don’t leave Christmas lights, Christmas trees, or halogen lights on overnight or when not at home.
- Consider having an electrician perform an annual checkup of your home’s wiring.
4. Dryers and washing machines
Safety tips:
- Clean the lint screen frequently and don’t run the dryer without it.
- For gas and propane dryers, make sure there aren’t any leaks in the lines.
- Vent the dryer to the outside of the house and ensure nothing blocks the vent pipe.
- Clean the vent pipe and the area where the screen is housed.
- Keep the area around the dryer free of combustible materials.
5. Lightning
Safety tips:
- Stay away from doors and windows during an electrical storm.
- Do not use corded phones, computers, TVs or other electrical equipment during storms.
- Unplug major electronics – TVs, stereo equipment, computers and microwaves to minimize damage if there is a lightning strike close by.
- Avoid plumbing such as sinks, baths and faucets during a thunderstorm.
6. Children playing with fire
Safety tips:
- Keep matches, lighters and other ignition sources out of the reach of children.
- Teach children fire safety at an early age.
- Make sure children have adequate supervision.
7. Christmas trees
Safety tips:
- Keep live trees well watered and dispose of them before they become dry.
- Turn off tree lights before leaving the house or going to bed.
- Check lights for any shorts or other electrical issues before putting them on the tree.
8. Cooking
Safety tips:
- Be alert when cooking and don’t leave food unattended.
- Don’t throw water on a grease fire, put a lid on the pan to smother the fire.
- If an oven fire flares up, turn off the oven and leave the door shut until the fire extinguishes itself.
- Keep clothing, pot holders, paper towels and other flammable items away from fires.
- Having working smoke detectors in the house and keep a fire extinguisher nearby just in case.