Devastating house fires can happen in an instant, and many begin due to human error.
December, January and February are the leading months for home fires! The U.S. Fire Administration reports that cooking tops the list of residential building fire causes (50 percent), followed by heating equipment (12.5 percent) and electrical malfunction (6.3 percent). We had a close call ourselves a couple of years ago with a toaster incident.
Make your fall and winter seasons merry, bright and fire-free with these essential home fire safety tips.
- Schedule a chimney inspection at least once a year. Creosote, or condensed smoke, builds up on the flue and can catch fire. An annual cleaning and inspection can help prevent chimney fires.
- Keep flammable items at least three feet from heat sources. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, 56 percent of fatal home heating fires ignite from items being placed too close to heating equipment. Make sure everything is a safe distance from heat sources, including the furnace, space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves.
- Check smoke detectors frequently. Approximately 60 percent of house fire deaths happen in structures with no working smoke alarms. Test your home’s smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries each year.
- Have a family escape plan and practice it regularly. All household members need to know all exit strategies in case a fire breaks out, as well as where to meet once they’re safely outside. Have a semiannual drill and practice at different times of the day. If your home has an upstairs be sure to have a fire escape ladder and learn how to use it.
- Cook safely. Never leave the room when boiling, frying or baking, keep pot holders and dish towels away from the flame, and immediately turn off appliances when not in use.
- Be mindful of holiday decorations. If you choose to decorate with strings of lights, always check their condition first. Throw out those with exposed electrical wiring, and be sure to read over the manufacturer’s instructions.
This home tips article was brought to you by Gary Moore Jr., a real estate broker for the Atlanta, GA, area. Take a look at his social wall here.
Learn more about home fire safety from the National Fire Protection Association, they provide the leading information and knowledge on fire and related hazards.
Do you have a fire emergency exit plan for your family? Leave us a comment below.
Nick
Nick and Silke
Silke
My house is near a factory, which is a fire-prone area, and that is why I’m thinking of buying a fire extinguisher. Aside from this, I also agree with you that there must be an escape plan where the family members may exit just in case of a fire accident. Thank you for sharing the importance of installing a smoke detector because this has saved 60 percent of house fire deaths as you’ve stated.
Thank you Rachel, we appreciate your comment very much! – Silke
This is a great reminder, thank you!
We just moved into our new home a couple of weeks ago and I forgot all about it. This weekend we will work on creating and practicing a new fire emergency plan with the kids, they’re 6 & 9 years old. We don’t have an upstairs so I luckily don’t have to worry about that.
Awesome! I’m glad you came across this article, it’s always good to be prepared. Your kids are at a fun age I bet you will have a great time implementing your fire exit plan.