Fire Safety Tips for Fall

10/18/2021 (Permalink)

Leaf burning in a metal drum

During the fall and winter months, fire hazards in your home or business stem largely from heating the space. According to the American Red Cross, there was even a drastic increase in US house fires during this time. It's important to keep a few important fall safety tips in mind.

Fireplaces

Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from the fireplace and install a mesh metal screen around it. Never leave a burning fire unattended and make sure a fire in a fireplace is completely out before going to bed.

Space Heaters

Always allow at least three feet of empty area around space heaters. Never place clothing or any other objects on a space heater to dry. Do not place space heaters near furniture or drapery. Turn space heaters off when you leave the house or go to bed.

Leaf Burning

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, burning leaves produces dangerous and cancer-causing chemicals. Homeowners should avoid disposing of leaves this way. If you decide to burn leaves, wear a protective mask. Burning leaves should only be attempted far away from a house or other structures on a homeowner's property.

Candles

According to the National Candle Association, almost 10,000 home fires start with improper candle use. Never leave candles burning if you go out or sleep and keep your candles away from pets and kids.

Change Smoke/Carbon Alarm Batteries

When Daylight Savings Time begins and ends, it’s a good idea to change your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries. This ensures the alarms don’t fail when you turn the heat on in your home. Make sure to check the alarms with the new batteries installed. Check and replace any home fire extinguishers that have expired.

Create a fire escape plan

Designate an escape route for each area of your home and establish a meeting place outside. Practice escaping your home while staying low to avoid breathing in smoke. Also, practice escaping through windows using emergency ladders.

Here at SERVPRO of Grand Routt & Rio Blanco, we care about the communities we serve. Therefore, we cooked up these helpful tips. While we’d love to have your business, we sincerely hope that a fire will never damage your home.

Contact SERVPRO of Grand Routt & Rio Blanco for Fire Damage Restoration and Repairs if your home has fire damage. We can help; call us today at 970-457-1449. We are a 24/7 emergency response.