Fire Hazards and Safety
A fire can sweep through an entire home in less than five minutes, leaving little time to get you and your family out safely. Most fires can be prevented through simple maintenance, repairs and keeping a house free of clutter. Items such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers will help prevent injury or death should a fire start in your home. Knowing how to prevent fires from starting and having the right safety equipment will save you and your family from the dangers of fire. Does this Spark an idea?
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Stoves
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Stoves and cooking equipment are the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. and one of the most preventable fire hazards in a home. Regularly clean the stove and oven, removing leftover grease and spilled food, and wipe up spills immediately after they happen. When cooking, wear snug fitting clothing, short sleeves or roll your sleeves up to prevent them from contacting the oven burners and catching fire. Keep anything combustible, such as pot holders, cook books and curtains, at least 3 feet from the stove. Never use water on a grease fire; instead pour flour or baking soda over the top to smother it.
Candles
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Candles can be a fire hazard if they're not burned in a proper container, placed too close to other combustible materials or not properly supervised. To avoid fires from candles, place them in a metal, glass or ceramic candle holder then set them on a sturdy piece of furniture. Never burn a candle on a Christmas tree or other plant. Keep burning candles out of the reach of children, away from pets and at least 1 foot away from combustible material. Remember to never leave a candle burning when you leave the home or cannot keep an eye on it.
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Electrical
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Most electrical fires are caused by faulty wiring, overloaded circuit breakers and worn extension cords. Electrical fires can be prevented by routinely checking the circuit breaker, outlets and wiring in the home. To prevent fires, replace any loose cords, avoid using extension cords when possible and do not overload wall outlets. You also want to leave enough room around appliances, computers, stereos and other electrical equipment to prevent them from overheating.
Heaters
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Heaters are the leading cause of fires during winter months, and they typically start from overheating and nearby clutter catching on fire. Keep your heater, especially portable ones, away from clutter, curtains or anything that can catch on fire. Do not place a space heater on furniture, near a water source or in an unattended area. Turn off space heaters when leaving the room or before going to sleep.
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