20 Easy Ways to Reduce Fire Hazards
Along with cooler autumn weather comes nights cuddled by a warming fire and more family gatherings in the kitchen. But with more time spent indoors, the number of home fires begins to increase.
Fortunately, with a little planning and forethought, you can protect your home and loved ones by following these twenty easy ways to reduce fire hazards:
- Only use child-resistant lighters
- Blow out candles before leaving a room.
- Check electrical cords for fraying or chewing.
- Keep BBQ grills at least 10 feet from the house.
- Safely store any fertilizers, paint, and chemicals.
- Never leave pots or pans unattended on the stove.
- Use a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace.
- Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
- Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup.
- Turn off and unplug hair curlers and straighteners after each use.
- Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from any flammable items.
- Do not throw out cigarette butts out without soaking them in water.
- Keep a fire extinguisher within reach of any source of heat or flame.
- Clean your dryer vents regularly and the lint trap/filter after each use.
- Allow clothing irons to cool away from flammable items before storing.
- Test your smoke detectors every month and change their batteries annually.
- Have your chimney and heating system checked annually by a professional.
- Check cooking appliance are turn off before heading to bed or leaving home.
- Keep towels, potholders, and other flammable items away from cooking surfaces.
- Do not overload electrical circuits, extension cords, power strips, or surge protectors.
Suffering a home fire can be one of the most dramatic experiences in one’s life. Luckily, most home fires are preventable. Take a moment today to reduce the fire hazards in your home and look forward to a safe winter season!