Five Steps to Avoid a House Fire This Winter
With the weather getting cold, most people are more concerned about staying warm than the potential danger posed by the heat. And yet, house fires tend to increase dramatically during the winter, in no small part due to people’s attempts to keep the cold away. Here are five important steps you can take to prevent a house fire this winter:
Do not leave a cooking fire unattended
One of the biggest sources of house fires comes from people cooking food. People should watch food to ensure that something does not accidentally catch fire, but especially during the holidays, it can be easy for people to be distracted by other things going on. Staying focused on the fire until you are done cooking is essential to ensure your holiday dinner doesn’t turn into a holiday disaster.
Beware candles and fireplaces
When people think of the holidays, they may think of a fire in the fireplace, or scented candles making it feel more festive. However, these open flames can easily start a house fire if you are not careful. Candles should be kept on a stable surface out of the reach of children or pets, and fireplace fires should be carefully tended to ensure they do not spread.
Keep space heaters unobstructed
Space heaters and other portable sources of heat can be essential for staying warm for many people, but they are also potentially dangerous. The electric coils in these heaters can get hot enough to start a fire if they come into contact with anything flammable, such as curtains, blankets, furniture, paper, or clothing. Thus, you should make sure to keep them away from anything else that might catch fire from prolonged contact.
Do not overload electronic circuits
The holiday season comes with lots of electronics, from newly purchased appliances and game systems, Christmas lights, and other bright and colorful things that need to be plugged into the wall. However, you should be careful not to plug too many things into the same socket, or otherwise it can overload the system. If this happens, it can cause a house fire, as the electronics short-circuit and burst into flame.
Check your smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers can be literal life-savers when it comes to avoiding a house fire. Smoke detectors may give you a warning of a fire before you know one is going on, while fire extinguishers can let you put out a fire before it has a chance to spread. Make sure to check they are in good working order, because they could be what saves your life and your home in the event of a fire.
