Homeowner Fire Tips

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

Homeowner Fire Tips

Are you prepared? 

12/10/21

How can you prepare to avoid house fires this Winter? Here are some great tips from your local SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene location! 

• Fireplace Safety and You- Be sure to have your chimney cleaned frequently. Without a good cleaning, your chimney can start to accumulate creosote. Creosote IS flammable and is the cause of many chimney fires. A cleaning and regular inspection will help prevent fires and can save lives!!!
• Install & Maintaining Smoke Alarms- Fires often occur at night when all are asleep. They spread rapidly and fumes run throughout the home too quickly. Smoke alarms will give you early warning signs. Keep them up to date.
• Appliance Care (Maintain & Monitor)- Clean the lint trap in your dryer after each use, make sure all pathways are clear to prevent a fire. Keep an eye on your built-in furnaces as well- they can be a fire hazard.
• Convenient Space Heaters- Portable space heaters are an easy fix for cold weather. In order to keep safe, keep all combustible clutter @ a 3-feet minimum away in each direction. Choose a space heater that has an automatic shut off. Make sure to operate and re-fuel portable generators only when you are outdoors. There needs to be adequate ventilation.
• Lights- Always use the correct wattage for your light bulbs. Certain lamps or light fixtures can cause a fire if they become too overheated. People tend to assume that leaving a light on is safer to protect theft, etc. On the contrary, leaving lighting on can cause fires if the materials around the light bulb are flammable and the light is overheated.
• Are you prepared? Look around the house for 2 to 3 ways to make a fast exit in case of emergency. If there is a second floor, make sure your family knows how to easily open the windows and deploy a ladder. Conducting fire drills regularly with a designated meeting space is a best practice!

Call anytime, night or day. We are open for emergencies 24/7, 365 days a year @ 208-457-1234!