Over 300,000 residential fires were responded to by U.S. fire departments between 2009 and 2013, making home fires one of the deadliest dangers to American homeowners.
As a Tucson homeowner, it’s up to you to prevent fires in your own home. Following these safety rules will most certainly help.
1). Be Extra Careful in The Kitchen
The majority of residential fires occur in the kitchen. A pan or pot that overheats or splatters flammable oil can take just seconds to create an out of control blaze. The best thing you can do to prevent a situation like this is always to supervise your cooking, never leaving it unattended.
Likewise, make sure that all appliances are turned off when you want them to be, and check that flammable items such as oven mitts, dishtowels, curtains, and flammable oils are far away from heated appliances.
2). Be Aware of Possible Electrical Problems
Electrical issues are extremely problematic fire risks in your home, and they are especially dangerous because you can’t see them. Make sure you never overload outlets with too many appliances. Unplug anything that is not in use, and make sure that all cords, extender plugs, and power bars are in good working order.
When possible, also install AFCI outlets in your home. These special outlets will detect hazardous arc-faults and halt electricity so that fires do not occur.
3). Take Extra Care When Using Portable Heaters
In areas of your home that are especially cold, portable heaters can be extremely useful. However, portable heaters account for thousands of fires around Arizona and the U.S. every year.
To prevent these fires, keep a 3-foot radius around your portable heater free from all things, including people, animals, furniture, curtains, etc. Also, never leave a portable heater on when you are not in the room, and watch them closely to prevent them from accidentally tipping over.
4). Monitor Your Candles
Candles should never be left unattended and should always be kept away from pets and children. Likewise, keep them away from any potentially flammable object such as bedspreads, curtains, decorations, paper, and furniture. Never leave candles burning overnight.
5). Keep Your Dryer Vent Clean
Over time, dryer vents build up with lint from clothing, towels, and linens in your dryer, and because of the constant heat running through them, this creates a situation that can lead to flames you don’t realize until it’s too late. Preventing a dryer vent fire is easy: simply make sure you clean out the vent on a regular basis.
6). Watch Out for Flammable Liquids
All flammable liquids in the home should be kept in a safe storage location. This includes things like paint, stain, and other solvents.
When using these liquids, keep in mind that the rags and towels you use with them need to be properly cared for. That is, never throw them into the trash, and never leave them in a crumpled pile. Spontaneous combustion and fire may occur and is a more common source of home fire than you may think.
7). Be Safe When Cooking Outdoors
Outdoor cooking can pose serious fire threats too, most of which have to do with grilling. Always keep your grill far away from your home as heat from the grill can easily cause housing materials such as siding to melt and cause flames. At the same time, maintain a clean grill as those with build-up can easily malfunction, which, in turn, can result in spreading flames.
Don’t forget to speak to the rest of your family about these safety tips as well. Keeping everyone in the loop on fire safety is paramount. For any questions related to fire safety or home insurance protection, speak to our team today.
