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Tips for a Safe and Toasty Warm Winter | SERVPRO of Conway & Faulkner Counties
1/16/2024 (Permalink)
Fire safety is a top priority for us at SERVPRO of Conway & Faulkner Counties this winter. Keep your home safe with these helpful tips!
Now that the holidays are over and a new year has begun, we all settle in to ride out the doldrums of winter together. These chilly temperatures and unfavorable weather can have all of us running to the warmth and safety of our homes much more often.
Unfortunately, the number of house fires drastically increases in the winter as we all turn on space heaters or stoke our fireplaces. Our team explains some easy ways to reduce your fire risk without sacrificing your comfort below.
We can all appreciate how nice a warm fire can feel on a cold winter’s night, but fireplaces can be really dangerous if not cared for properly.
First, you need to be cleaning out leftover ash before each new fire, and you should also take the time to thoroughly scrub your chimney walls to remove creosote buildup. Consider hiring a professional to come out and perform a thorough inspection of your chimney every year to look for cracks or aging issues.
If you keep flammable materials on your mantle, remove them before starting a fire and check to make sure your smoke detectors are in good working order. If your fireplace is gas or electric, take the time to check the gas or electrical lines before flipping your switch on. A single leak or loose connection can be dangerous or even deadly.
Who doesn’t love having a toasty space heater at their feet while they are working or nearby while reading on the couch? However, space heaters can also be dangerous if they aren’t used properly. In fact, around 1,700 house fires are started by faulty space heaters or misuse.
The key to safe space heater use is to set it up in a fire-safe location. Choose a spot in your home that is flat, level and nonflammable, avoiding carpets or shag rugs. Keep the cord lying flat and consider taping it down to avoid tripping hazards.
This tip may surprise you, but your space heater should have a buffer of at least three feet of anything around it. This is crucial in case it tips over or gets knocked over. Try to keep pets and kids out of the area as much as possible.
It is important to remember that not all space heaters are created equally, so don’t just buy the first one you see or the one that is on sale. Do your research to make sure you are choosing a safe heater.
Check their website to ensure that they have passed all of their safety certifications, and read reviews of the heater you are researching to check what actual users have to say about it. In addition, certain safety features can help ensure it is a good purchase. A safety shutoff feature can help be a great backup if you have a hard time remembering to turn off your heater!
Lastly, be sure the heater cord is well-made and long enough for your needs. A length of at least six feet can help ensure you can set your heater up in a fire-safe location without sacrificing your comfort in the process.
Stay safe, stay warm and stay fire-free out there, folks! We hope you have a great rest of your winter season, but remember that we are always here if you suffer from any kind of fire damage. We will put your home back together quickly and with the confidence you deserve.
A quick fire damage restoration is just a phone call away. Call SERVPRO® for immediate assistance.