All it takes is a spark! According to the National Fire Protection Association every 23 seconds a fire department in the United States responds to a fire somewhere in the nation. You can be putting your family, your home and your valuables at risk without knowledge of these fire hazards hiding in your home. There are some things you cannot prevent but when it comes to fire safety, knowledge is power. That is why in this week's newsletter we will provide you with the knowledge you need to keep your family, home and valuables safe.

Hazards To Be Aware Of

  1. Kitchen
    Unsurprisingly, cooking is the #1 cause of house fires and injuries. 49% of home fires were the result of cooking. Beware, oven mitts, paper towel, wooden spoons, packaging, and aprons can easily catch fire.
    1. Stay Alert! If you are tired or have consumed alcohol do not use the stove.
    2. Do not leave the kitchen if you are frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food.
    3. Do not place metals or foils in a microwave oven.)
    4. Do Not throw water on a grease fire, put a lid on the pan to smother the fire.
  2. Heating
    Did you know that up to one third of house fires are caused by heating systems?
    1. Test smoke alarms once a month.
    2. Never use your stove to heat your home.
    3. Have Fireplace and Chimney inspected regularly.
    4. Always use the appropriate type of fuel for your heating system.
    5. Ensure Fireplace has a screen to stop embers from flying into the room.
  3. Holiday Decorations
    In the U.S, fire departments respond to an average of 950 home fires caused by holiday decorations. 160 of which were caused directly by Christmas Trees.
    1. Inspect cords of lights for damage or fraying.
    2. Never overload a circuit.
    3. Use a Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
    4. Turn off lights and all decorations before going to bed or out of town.
  4. E-Bike/Electric Scooters
    This year alone there have been over 75 fires caused by E-Bikes.
    1. Purchase devices that are certified by a qualified testing laboratory.
    2. Do not use aftermarket batteries.
    3. Stop using if you notice an odor, warping of battery, leaking or odd noises coming from your battery or charger.
    4. Plug directly into the wall outlet, do not use extension cords.
    5. Do not leave it in childs room.
  5. Dryer
    There are over 2,900 home fires caused by clothes dryers each year. Of those, 34% was the result of a failure to clean them.
    1. Have your dryer installed by a professional.
    2. Clean the lint filter before and after each load of laundry.
    3. Do not forget to clean the back of the dryer.
    4. Clean the lint vent pope every 3 months.
    5. Make sure the vent outside opens up when the dryer is running.
  6. Space Heaters
    These devices are a great way to keep us cozy when the homes hit just cant keep up with the chilly months of the year. On average 1,700 house fires a year are caused by Space Heaters.
    1. Place heater on a hard, leveled surface.
    2. Space heaters are designed to sit on the floor, not a table.
    3. Keep at least 3 feet away from furniture, bedding, curtains or any other flammable material
    4. Use a timer to make sure you do not forget to turn it off.
    5. Unplug directly from the outlet when not in use.
    6. Inspect the coil as well as the cord periodically.