A fire in your home can happen at any time of the year, but with winter upon us, the danger increases with the setting of wood-burning heaters and the use of candles to create a cozy atmosphere.
Most fires start in the kitchen and are caused by neglect. You set something on the stove and then walk away, distracted by a phone, children, or domestic duty – it happens that easily.
Heaters are the second most common cause of a house blaze and, of course, the risk of this increases in the winter months when we place wet clothes in front of them to dry.
You should also watch for faulty wiring, especially in older homes. Signs that your wiring needs an upgrade include lights dimming when you use an appliance and regularly blown fuses or trips of your circuit-breaker. If that’s the case, call an electrician immediately.
Given that we’re deep into winter right now, below is a list of potential issues to help keep you and your family safe.
- Test your smoke alarm. Make sure the battery is in good condition. When you’re sleeping, you won’t smell the smoke and research suggests you might fall into a deeper sleep so checking your batteries each year on your alarm is an important piece of regular maintenance.
- Check your chimney to ensure there is sufficient airflow. If your chimney blocks up, smoke will pour back into your home. The collection of dirt and soot represents a fire risk. It’s a good idea to clean your chimney annually.
- Another annual exercise is a check of your electric blankets. Watch for loose wires and cords that have frayed, especially if the electric blanket has been folded when it has been stored. If in any doubt, throw it away. They’re not expensive to replace.
- Portable heaters are a great winter solution but don’t put them near curtains or tablecloths. If you need to dry clothes, leave them at least 1m away from the heater. Think of it as social distancing for clothes!
- Electrical overload is always a risk if you load up one powerpoint. Avoid doing so, and always unplug and disconnect appliances that are not being used.
- Another appliance danger lurks in the laundry. Check your dryer for lint build-up. Clean away anything that shouldn’t be there. It doesn’t take much for lint to light up.
- Candles in the living room, or even when you’re soaking in a bath, are romantic and relaxing. But you must extinguish them when leaving the room or an extended period or going to bed.
- Kids and matches – they’re not a good combination. Always stow matches, lighters and firelighters out of their reach. A common mistake is to keep a gas stove lighter in a handy drawer. Please don’t do that if you have small or curious kids.
- And while we’re in the kitchen, do not leave cooking unattended, especially if you’re deep-frying. That’s a recipe for catastrophe – it’s super easy to do and it happens all too often.