It’s hard to imagine losing a home in a fire but it happens every day somewhere across America and is even more common in winter and colder months.
House fires are terrifying because of the risk to you and your family. But the damage and sense of loss to a home you love from fire can also be devastating.
Happily however there are real steps you can take to easily avoid them. Below is a list of 10 potential problem areas that might cause a fire to help keep you safe.
Smoke alarms
You should have smoke alarms installed in your home. If not, please contact an electrician to get this under way. Batteries in older alarms should be checked regularly. Faulty alarms don’t save lives. Research shows that we don’t always wake until too late in a fire, so smoke alarms give you an important time advantage.
The kitchen
This is a common area for fires to begin. Anything from pans of fat to toasters full of crumbs will start a blaze if you’re not careful. Keep this area especially clean.
Pests
More than an inconvenience, pest doesn’t do justice to the damage they cause. Rats and mice are more than just gross or annoying. They can chew through wires and spark a blaze. If you have a cute little mouse that dashes around the house, show it the exit. Cockroaches can also spark toaster fires.
Heaters
Dust and heat elements are a potentially lethal combination. Make sure you keep your heaters clean. Vacuum or wipe with a damp cloth. And whatever you do, don’t dry clothes too close to the elements. Countless house fires start like that every year.
Chimneys
If you wood-burn for heat, sweep your chimney before fall sets in each year. Deposits of tar or creosote settle inside the chimney and can quickly start a blaze in your roof.
Hairdryers
Hair and dust are a fuse to hairdryers. If you smell burning, then you’ve got a problem. Clean it, or throw it out and upgrade to a new one. Never walk away from a hairdryer when it’s on. The power cord can heat and melt. Also, please buy only hairdryers that meet safety standards. That’s another way of saying, don’t make a purchase on the internet unless it’s from a reputable supplier.
Exhaust fans and range hoods
These have to be kept clean. Bathroom fans collect dust that will cause it to overheat – and you know the rest. Modern ones have a thermally-protected motor, but a dust-free strategy is still best. Range hoods should be free of fat and grease residue from cooking on the stove. Most range hoods have filters that you can take out and put into the dishwasher on a hot setting to get really clean.
Air-Conditioners
A regular check for broken wires is recommended. Watch out for those that have frayed, as these are the most dangerous. Wrapping the wire in masking tape is an adequate temporary measure but not a substitute for getting your AC serviced and properly fixed.
Dryers
Another potential villain, a clothes dryer can easily catch fire because of the heat it generates to do its job. Lint is the usual culprit, clogging vents and filters. Make sure you clean out the filters regularly, and never put clothes that have had flammable liquids like fuel spilled on them into a dryer.
Old rags
The chemicals on cleaning rags can be problematic. Potentially two chemicals you’ve used can react and combust spontaneously. That doesn’t happen every day, but it happens. Use a rag for one purpose only, or throw it out if you’re unsure.
If you’re in an older home, you may want to ask your local fire chief if they will provide further guidance on ensuring your home is safe. An inspection of the electrical wiring by an electrician would be money well spent as anything over 20 years of age may have degraded, and standards are constantly upgrading.