Tips for Fire Prevention During Winter Weather

1/18/2020 (Permalink)

fire damage, smoke, oder, soot

When the temperatures begin to fall in the wintertime, there is a lot to consider in order to prepare around the house. However, one of the most important things individuals can keep in mind is fire safety, as winter is when the rate of home fire peak around the country. 

Knowing why this occurs and how to prevent it will be extremely valuable in your winter preparations. 

The Reasons Behind Winter Fires 

An Increase in Cooking

Cooking is consistently the No. 1 cause of home fires according to the NFPA reporting, and this is true during the winter months especially, with meals and baked goods, leading to more kitchen use and more cooking dangers. 

The Risk of Heaters

Using only your home's centural heat can get expensive, causing many to  turn to additional methods such as portable heaters and fireplaces to stay warm. Because these are so popular, incidents with them are, too- unsafe heating practices are the second highest cause of fires throughout the winter months. 

Candles and decorations 

Candles and other winter decor are a fun way to get ready for the holidays as long as they are utilized safely. Unattended candles can put homes at a high risk for a fire at any time of the year, but in the winter they tend to be more readily utilized. For electronics components such as string lights, it is important that they are inspected for tears or frays and are not allowed to get too hot. 

Wintertime Fire Prevention Guide

While none of us hope to go through a house fire, accidents happen and flames can quickly spread. However, by practicing both common and season-specific fire safety, individuals can lessen the chances that this will happen to them. Here are some of our favorite fire tips:

• Check smoke alarms once every 30 days and replace every 10 years. 
• Always monitor open flames.
• Select space heaters with automatic shutoffs in case they tip over.
• Utilize a screen every time you use a fireplace.
• Draft and practice an emergency escape plan with your household.

If your home has been impacted by a fire, call us right away. We are leaders in restoration and can help you recover quickly after a fire occurs.