Fire Safety Tips You Need to Know
Seasonal fire hazards are as common in winter months as holidays. With more people using fireplaces, candles, and kitchen appliances during the winter months, incidences of residential fires also increase during this time of the year. You can keep your El Segundo home and family safe by equipping yourself with basic winter fire safety. These simple tips can keep common causes of winter fires at bay and ensure an enjoyable season for you.
A crackling fire is just what you need for a cozy winter night. This is why you must make sure your fireplaces are used carefully and cleaned often to ensure there are no stray flames. One of the most important safety tips for using a fireplace is to clean it thoroughly before each use. You can avoid burns and property damage by keeping your fireplace free from ashes, built-up soot, and debris that can become spark-inducing hazards. If you start with a clean fireplace, you ensure that you have a safe & warm fire each time you light it.
As you clean your fireplace, you should also check that the damper is working properly and is open before you light your kindling. This will ensure good ventilation that will prevent your home from being filled with smoke. You should never leave a fire unattended and you should keep children and pets safely at a distance as well. Lastly, take care when removing ashes and unburned wood from fireplaces. Coals can stay hot under ashes for up to three days, so stir ashes carefully and test for heat before attempting to scoop them out. Also, don’t miss your annual chimney sweep to keep creosote deposits from building up.
Life fireplaces, candles are a common source of residential fires. Open flames should be used cautiously in the home. According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles start an average of 7,610 home structure fires each year. To maintain a low fire risk, you must keep candles away from flammable materials like curtains, houseplants, and home decor items. You should also remember not to move a candle that has melted wax pooling in the center, and do not leave lit candles unattended. This way you can safely enjoy your candle-lit evenings.
Winter also means holidays filled with special meals. All that extra cooking also increases the chances of kitchen fires in the winter. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are more than 189,000 cooking fires in the U.S. each year. The main culprits of these fires are kitchen appliances left unattended.
To ensure that your holidays are kitchen fire-free, be sure someone is present in the kitchen when food is simmering or baking. You can also keep a timer to remind you to remove food from the stove or oven once you are done cooking. Most cooking fires start on stovetops so make sure your flammable objects, including dish towels and other fabrics, are kept away from the stove before any burners are turned on. Cleaning up spills or overflowing food and using pots and pans in good condition also help minimize fire risks.
Lastly, take extra care when frying in hot oil. Unattended pots of boiling water or oil are hazards especially when there are no lids nearby. If ever the oil starts to flame up, you should cover the pot with the lid, turn off the heat, and allow the stove and pot to cool.
Follow these simple tips to avoid the season’s common fire hazards. Would you like to learn more safety tips for renters? We can help! Call 310-535-2150 to speak with a professional El Segundo property manager today.
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