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Tips for Staying Toasty and Fire-Safe This Season | SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn and Rusk Counties
1/16/2024 (Permalink)
Fire safety is a top priority for us at SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn and Rusk Counties this winter. Keep your home safe with these helpful tips!
We are in the heart of cozy season right now, and we are cuddled up with blankets and enjoying the cooler weather right along with you. While you dust off your fireplace and bust out your space heaters on the coldest of nights, make sure you are being safe!
The number of house fires skyrockets in the winter season, and most of them are caused by preventable accidents with space heaters, fireplace issues or other electrical troubles. Our SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn and Rusk Counties team explains some easy ways to stay safe while also staying warm this season below.
The ambiance and warmth that a fire provides can’t be beat, but fireplaces can also be downright dangerous if not used properly. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, make sure to clean out ash from previous fires, and be sure your chimney is cleaned regularly to remove creosote buildup.
Keep flammable materials and decor far away from the flames and off the mantle, and make sure your smoke detectors have fresh batteries. If you have an electric or gas fireplace, check the connections regularly to ensure you don’t have a small leak happening and clean it off to remove dust buildup. Make sure your fire extinguisher is always close at hand as well.
Did you know that space heater mishaps are responsible for 1,700 house fires every year? The best part about space heaters is their ability to easily move around your home to provide warmth wherever you need it.
However, that is also what makes them fire hazards! Choose a hard, level and nonflammable surface to set yours up on, and check the cord for any fraying or loose wiring before plugging it in.
Create a three-foot barrier around your space heater to keep out kids and pets, and make sure things like curtains, couch cushions and bedding are nowhere near the heater. Never plug a space heater into an extension cord, and always turn off your space heater before going to bed.
Not all space heaters are created equally, and cheaper doesn’t always mean a good deal or good value. You need to do your research before choosing the right space heater to ensure your safety while you are using it.
First, make sure you are purchasing from a certified and reliable company that has passed all of the necessary safety certifications. Next, you should make sure it has a shutoff feature that can take over after a certain period of usage. Space heaters should never be left unattended, but the automatic shutoff switch can add another level of protection.
Finally, inspect the cord that comes out of the heater. It should be sturdy and well-made, and it should be at least six feet long so you can easily set up your space heater in a safe location in your room.
Stay safe, stay warm and call us right away if you suffer a house fire this season! We will remove damaged debris, tackle smoke odors and repair your home from top to bottom.
A quick fire damage restoration is just a phone call away. Call SERVPRO® for immediate assistance.