Fire Safety Tips you’ll Fall for this Season

10/22/2018 (Permalink)

As the cool fall weather starts to roll in, it is important to practice fire safety in the home to ensure your holiday season goes uninterrupted. Things like heating, holiday decorations, and candle burning can all leave room for disaster if not addressed properly.

Home Heating Safety Tips

Central Heating

If you heat your home centrally, it is important to have your system inspected and cleaned of any build up before the start of the fall season. A blocked air duct can be a potential fire hazard waiting to happen. Make sure to get your system routinely checked by a Certified HVAC professional, and call SERVPRO of Dartmouth/New Bedford South for any cleanings it may require.

Fireplace

You should have your chimney inspected every year to make sure it’s in safe, working condition. Utilize your local Chimney Sweeper when necessary, and have any cracks within the foundation of the chimney filled if need be. It is also advised that a fireplace screen be used to keep sparks within the pit, and unwanted debris out. Finally, you should never use gasoline or any other combustible substance to start a fire and most importantly, never under any circumstances leave a fire unattended!

Space Heater

Space heaters are a great resource for heating areas of the home that otherwise don’t receive a lot of air flow. There are many precautions to follow when relying on a space heater, though, which include making sure there is at least a 3-foot radius of empty space between your space heater and any other objects. You should also never place clothing or any other flammable articles on your space heater, and avoid putting it near furniture or curtains. Lastly, it is very important you turn off and unplug your space heater when leaving the house or going to bed to avoid the possibility of fire.  

Holiday Décor Safety Tips

Jack-O-Lanterns

Although Jack-O-Lanterns are a great way to add spook to your home during Halloween, you should never burn a real candle within one. Instead, try safer alternatives like a battery operated light.

Fried Turkey

One of the biggest fire starters on Thanksgiving Day are the infamous fried turkeys!

If you plan to deep fry your bird this Thanksgiving, we suggest you follow these tips so not to blow your house up;

• Set up the fryer you’ll be using AT LEAST 10 feet away from the home, or any other structure for that matter, and make sure it is situated on a level surface
• Make sure the turkey is thawed and dried out completely
• Keep a watchful eye on the oil temperature

Christmas tree Lights

Make sure when leaving the house or going to bed you turn your Christmas tree lights off and unplug them. Christmas trees are beautiful, and we all want to show off our decorating skills, but leaving your lights on when away from the home is dangerous. You’ll also want to make sure you’re watering your tree enough to prevent the pines from becoming dry and brittle, whereas they are extremely flammable in this state.