Home Safety in Winter: How to Prevent House Fires

11/10/2022 (Permalink)

Home Safety in Winter: How to Prevent House Fires

As the temperatures drop and winter sets in, we all start spending more time indoors. While cozying up by the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa sounds like the perfect way to spend a cold winter's night, it's important to take some precautions to prevent house fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, home structure fires peak in December and January. In this blog post, we'll share some tips on how you can keep your home safe from fires this winter.

1. Keep things that can catch fire at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, and space heaters. This includes items like newspapers, magazines, furniture, clothing, and bedding.
2. Never use your oven to heat your home. Not only is this a fire hazard, but it can also release harmful gases into the air.
3. Inspect and clean your chimney and fireplace before using them for the first time each winter. A build-up of soot and debris can cause a chimney fire. 
4. Make sure you have working smoke alarms in your home and test them monthly. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
5. If you're using a space heater, choose one that has been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Look for a space heater with an automatic shut-off so that if it tips over, it will turn off on its own.
6. Never leave candles unattended—blow them out before leaving the room or going to bed.
7. Use flashlights instead of candles during a power outage. If you must use candles, make sure they are placed in sturdy candle holders that won't tip over easily.
8. Avoid overloading electrical outlets and extension cords. If you must use an extension cord, make sure it is rated for the intended use (such as indoor or outdoor) and never nail or staple them to walls or baseboards as this could create a fire hazard. 
9. Never leave children alone in a room with lit candles or an operating space heater—even for a minute! Teach children to stay clear of these items and never touch them without an adult present. 

10 bonus tip: Call us to learn about our free Home Fire Safety Checklist for more Winter fire safety tips! 

With some careful planning and attention to detail, you can help prevent house fires this winter season! If you do have a home fire, the most important thing to do is to call a team of experts like SERVPRO of Twin Falls and Jerome Counties, and SERVPRO of Woodriver Valley. This local team has the knowledge and experience necessary to restore your home and make it look "Like it never even happened." Whether you need help cleaning up soot or smoke damage, or you need furniture, appliances, or other belongings replaced, these professionals will be there for you every step of the way. With their fast response times and efficient work process, they can help get your life back on track after a devastating home fire. So if you find yourself in a situation like this, don't hesitate – call the experts at SERVPRO of Twin Falls and Jerome Counties and SERVPRO of Woodriver Valley today!