Top 7 Fire Hazards in Your Home

Safety Tips

1. Kitchen Safety

·         Keep clutter, such as pot holders, towels, bags, etc., away from the stovetop.

·         Do not wear loose-fitting clothing that can catch on pot handles or come into contact with hot burners.

·         Turn all ovens and stovetops off when not in use.

·         Use extreme caution when using a turkey fryer. The outside of the machine can reach very high temperatures and it can also tip easily, spilling scalding, hot oil.

·         Check all kitchen appliance cords to make sure there are no frays or cuts.

·         Do not overload circuits by plugging too many appliances into the outlets.

 

2. Fireplaces

  • Make sure that chimneys are properly cleaned -- to ensure this, have them inspected at the beginning of each cold season.
  • Use a protective fireplace screen to protect people and animals from getting too close to the fire/heat source.
  • Do not use flammable liquids in the fireplace.
  • Do not burn paper in the fireplace -- lit pieces of paper can float out of chimneys and land on neighboring buildings. Only use dry wood -- not wood/boughs from live-cut trees as these lit particles can also float out of the chimney.
  • Do not burn wrapping paper in the fireplace -- toxic smoke is released when it is burned.
  • Make sure the fire is completely out before you go to sleep.
  • Never close the damper when there are hot ashes in the fireplace.

 

3. Precautions for Portable Heaters/Space Heaters

·         Do not leave heaters unattended -- turn heaters off when leaving the room or going to sleep.

·         Do not leave children or animals alone with a heater when it is in use.

·         Never dry clothes on the heater.

·         Keep heaters at least 3 feet away from any combustible object, bed, wallpaper, wood floor, animal, etc.
 

General Fire Safety Tips

·         Keep a carbon monoxide detector in your home.

·         Keep at least one smoke alarm on each floor of your house, making sure to install them inside and outside of bedroom doorways.

·         Clean your dryer’s lint screen after every load and vacuum out the exhaust hose at least once a year.

·         Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, laundry room, and garage.

·         Keep escape ladders by a window in each bedroom on the second floor or higher.

·         Create a fire evacuation plan with your family.

 

Tips provided by Sixwise.com