Fire Safety Tips You Need to Know
Winter months give rise to holidays, memories – and seasonal fire hazards. The increased utilization of fireplaces, candles, and kitchen appliances during the winter months is why there are so many residential fires at this time of year. To keep your Southfield home and family safe, it’s vital to grasp the essentials of appropriate winter fire safety. By applying several trouble-free steps, you can prevent the most usual reasons for winter fires, and make sure a delightful winter season is yours to experience and enjoy.
A crackling fire can be just what you wish for cozy winter nights. But keep in mind, fireplaces should be used carefully and cleaned frequently to see to it that the flames stay where they should. One of the most important safety tips for utilizing a fireplace is to clean it meticulously before each utilization. Ashes, built-up soot, and debris can become hazards, throwing sparks and causing burns and property damage. Starting with a clean fireplace makes certain that your fire will warm you safely whenever you light it.
Including cleaning your fireplace, be sure that the damper is working accurately and is open before lighting your kindling. This will make sure there is proper ventilation and prevent smoke from filling your home’s interior. Once lit, you should never leave a fire unattended and should keep children and pets at a safe distance. On a final note, use caution once removing ashes and unburned wood from a fireplace. Coals can hide under ashes and stay hot for up until three days, so stir ashes attentively and test for heat in preparation of scooping them out. And bear in mind an annual chimney sweep to keep creosote deposits from ruining the festivities.
Apart from fireplaces, candles are another probable source of perilous residential fires. Open flames can really create a relaxed mood in your home, but on the other hand, they should be used heedfully. According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles start an average of 7,610 home structure fires each year. To keep the risk of fire low, you should frequently put a lit candle at a distance from anything that might be flammable, including curtains, houseplants, and home décor items. Never move a candle that has melted wax pooling in the center, and never leave a lit candle unattended. In this manner, you can enjoy all of your candle-lit evenings safely and securely.
It’s no coincidence that too many of our winter holidays are linked with delectable treats and unique meals. However, all that extra cooking suggests that kitchen fires turn out to be a lot more common in the winter months. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are more than 189,000 cooking fires in the U.S. each year. The major cause of these fires is food or kitchen appliances left unattended.
To be assured that a kitchen fire doesn’t mess up your holidays, make sure to stay in the kitchen once simmering or baking food. It’s further necessary to set a timer to remind yourself to take away food from the stove or oven when you’re done cooking. Several home cooking fires happen on the stovetop, so be certain to keep flammable objects (including dish towels and other fabrics) well away from your stove prior to turning any of the burners on. Clean up spills or overflowing food in no time, and use pots and pans that are in a good state.
The last point, if your holiday cooking plans include frying, use the utmost care around hot oil. Never leave a pot of boiling water or oil unattended, and keep a pot lid close. If the oil starts to flame up, stop it immediately by covering the pot with the lid, turning off the heat, and allowing the stove and pot to cool.
By obeying these simple safety tips, you can actually prevent the winter season’s most common fire hazards. Would you like to discover more safety tips for renters? We can help! Call 248-808-6550 to speak with a professional Southfield property manager today.
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