How to Keep Your Home Fire Safe

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By Shirley Philbrick
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Fire is one of the leading causes of death and injury in the home during the holidays and in the winter months. Common sense and practical measures can dramatically reduce the odds of your home having a minor, or devastating fire this winter. Read on to find out how to make your home, and family, safer.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

UPDATE YOUR SPACE HEATER:

More and more people are turning to SPACE HEATERS to supplement their primary heat source in the winter time. This can be a practical and resourceful idea to save money and heat only the parts of the home that are being occupied. Using newer models of space heaters can not only heat more efficiently than the old one you've used for years, but they also come with fire safety shut offs when they get tipped over, or if the temperature reaches a certain level.

Never use space heaters near curtains or other flammable materials and look for models that are safe around children or pets. Do not use space heaters with extension cords unless the heater information says it's ok to do so as space heaters draw a lot of electricity. Sometimes it's more than an extension cord can handle, and can make the cord overheat and cause a fire.
Step 2

USE PROPERLY UL RATED EXTENSION CORDS TO KEEP YOUR HOME FIRE SAFE:

Extension cords are another item that are used with more frequency in the wintertime, and in particular, at the holidays. Check cords for frays, or those you have to bend just right to get to transfer electricity. These are an indication of a short somewhere and can be a potentially dangerous fire hazard. Pets are notorious for chewing on extension, or other cords. These should be checked periodically for damage and replaced when necessary.

When using extension cords for holiday decorating; be aware of using the appropriate cords for what you need. Indoor only cords are not made to use outdoors, nor should multiple indoor cords be plugged into one another unless they are UL rated to do so.
Step 3

LEARN ABOUT STOVES BEFORE YOU BUY ONE:

As home heating fuels rise; so too does WOOD, PELLET, and other solid fuel, STOVE use. Know how to use a stove before you invest in one. They are not as convenient as turning up your thermostat and can cause a fire under the wrong circumstances. Be sure to clean, and otherwise maintain your stove each year before putting it to regular use (and periodically while in use).

Burn materials INTENDED for the stove you own. Unfortunately, with food, fuel, and other costs rising; many people will be tempted to burn whatever they can find. This can be a dangerous gamble as many items are toxic when burned. Examples of this may be plastics, pressure treated wood (treated with chemicals), or charcoal.

Comments

cadence said

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on 11/3/2008 Great information for the season.

veryirie said

on 11/1/2008 all great tips which should be read and practiced religiously. Thanks for publishing this!

MommyBear said

on 11/1/2008 These are excellent advice and tips. I think everyone should read this article to protect themselves and their surrounding neighbors from any kind of preventable fire disasters. Thanks for these reminders. I'm saving this to my favorites. 5*****