Top Fire Safety Tips for Winter to Avoid a House Fire

When the weather cools down, furnaces, fireplaces and space heaters become essential. However, you shouldn’t just crank on your furnace or light a fire without being prepared! 

If you rely on your furnace consistently during the winter months, have it inspected every fall season to ensure there are no underlying issues. Loose lines, faulty ignitors or dirty flame sensors can all lead to a system malfunction or even a fire. A licensed HVAC technician can identify these problems and help ensure your furnace is ready to work safely. 

If you have a fireplace in your home, be sure to take an afternoon to clean it up and check it out. Wood-burning fireplaces should be scrubbed down to remove creosote buildup on the bricks, and electric or gas fireplaces should also be wiped down to remove dust buildup. Having any sort of residue near your fireplace is a huge fire hazard, so take the time to clean this area thoroughly.

When your fireplace is lit and roaring on a cold winter’s night, be sure to keep any flammable materials far away from the flames. You should also ensure you keep kids and pets far away from the flame to avoid injury or accidents. 

Space Heater Safety

Space heaters are also a great way to stay warm or to warm up a particular area of your home quickly. Unfortunately, they are also a leading cause of house fires during the winter months. When you pull out your space heater for the season, do a full inspection of the appliance as well as the cord. Check for dents or any loose wiring, and promptly replace your heater if you notice any dangerous wear and tear. 

Once your heater is ready for use, set it up on a level, nonflammable surface. Avoid carpeting when possible as carpet can easily catch on fire when exposed to high temperatures. Keep the heater away from curtains, furniture or anything else that is flammable, and never leave it on when you leave the room. 

Unattended heaters can easily be knocked over, and that can leave you with a serious fire situation in just a few minutes. Turn it off whenever you leave the room and especially before going to bed. 

Fire Safety Tip #2: Use Candles Wisely 

What is a better ambiance for a chilly winter night than a couple of candles glowing while you are cozy on the couch? Candle use is at an all-time high during the winter months, so it should be no surprise that candle accidents are also a leading cause of house fires during this time of year. 

The No.1 tip for candle safety is to never leave a candle burning in an unattended room. Depending on the brand of candle and the state of its wick, candles can easily spark and pop the longer they are burning. A single spark can quickly ignite a window curtain or a nearby blanket, and your whole room could be up in flames before you return to the room. 

Keep your candles in sight at all times and blow them out when you leave the room, even if you are planning to come back shortly. You should also be sure to store your matches and lighters in a safe, child-proof location. It only takes a moment for a curious child and a fire source for danger to occur. 

If you want to take your safety to the next level, consider using flameless candles instead! Battery-operated candles are just as beautiful, but they are much safer than their traditional flamed counterparts. 

Fire Safety Tip #3: Decorate With Fire Safety in Mind 

‘Tis the season for holiday decorations! If you celebrate any or all of the winter holidays, chances are that you decorate your home in some capacity. However, be sure your decorations are safe, reliable, and cared for every season. 

Check all of your light strands for cracks or exposed wires, and toss or recycle any compromised strands. You should also be mindful of where you choose to decorate. Avoid decorating your mantel with flammable materials and limit the amount of decorations near heat sources like radiators, ovens, and light fixtures. 

Finally, keep your tree healthy and happy throughout the entire holiday season. If you have an artificial tree, check all the bulbs and cords to make sure they are all intact, and dust each branch for optimal safety. If you have a real tree, designate someone in your home to water the tree every single day. Dry trees are essentially tinder in your home, so keep it watered to keep your fire risk lower.

No matter what kind of tree you have, be sure to unplug it before going to bed. All it takes is one spark for it to light up and burn your entire home during what is supposed to be one of the jolliest times of year. 

Dealing With Fire Damage

No matter how cautious you are, fires do still happen. If you are the unfortunate victim of a house fire during the winter season, be sure to call a professional fire damage restoration team immediately.

The longer you wait to address the damage, the worse it will become. A professional team will reverse the damage, rebuild your home, and ensure smoke and soot residue are removed completely. 

Suffered fire damage this winter? Call the team at Exit Mold right away at (516) 512-7877 for a faster and more thorough restoration.