Fire Safety Tips You Need to Know
Winter months bring about holidays, memories – and seasonal fire hazards. But as it happens, the increased use of fireplaces, candles, and kitchen appliances during the winter months is why there is plenty of residential fires at this time of year. To keep your Lehi home and family safe, it’s imperative to really understand the basics of good winter fire safety. By heeding and applying quite a few manageable points, you can definitely keep away from the most typical causes of winter fires, and secure a pleasing winter season that is yours to enjoy and experience.
A crackling fire may just be what you need for cozy winter nights. Though, fireplaces should be used carefully and cleaned all the time to make certain that the flames stay where they should. Among the most important safety tips for using a fireplace is to clean it meticulously before using it. Ashes, built-up soot, and debris can become hazards, throwing sparks and causing burns and property damage. Starting with a clean fireplace guarantees that your fire will warm you safely any time you light it.
On top of cleaning your fireplace, be sure that the damper is working right and is open in preparation for lighting your kindling. This makes certain proper ventilation and prevents smoke from filling your home’s interior. Once lit, you should never leave a fire unattended and should keep children and pets at a safe distance. One final matter, use precautionary measures when removing ashes and unburned wood from a fireplace. Coals can hide under ashes and stay hot for up to three days, so stir ashes thoughtfully and test for heat when scooping them out. And call to mind to do an annual chimney sweep to keep creosote deposits from ruining the festivities.
Side by side with fireplaces, candles are also a likely source of noxious residential fires. Open flames can help create a relaxing mood in your home, though they should be used conscientiously. According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles start an average of 7,610 home structure fires each year. To maintain and keep the risk of fire low, you should constantly place a lit candle at a distance from anything that might be flammable, including curtains, houseplants, and home décor items. Never move a candle that has melted wax pooling in the center, and never leave a lit candle unattended. In this fashion, you can enjoy all of your candle-lit evenings being confident of your safety.
It’s not surprising that a great deal of our winter holidays involves luscious treats and remarkable meals. But remember, all that extra cooking also means that kitchen fires may occur more than usual in the winter months. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are more than 189,000 cooking fires in the U.S. each year. The key reason for these fires is food or kitchen appliances left unattended.
To be certain that a kitchen fire doesn’t ruin and frustrate your holidays, see to it to stay in the kitchen always whenever you’re simmering or baking food. It’s additionally relevant to set a timer to remind yourself to clear away food from the stove or oven when you’re done cooking. Various home cooking fires happen on the stovetop, so always make certain to keep flammable objects (including dish towels and other fabrics) well away from your stove before trying to turn any of the burners on. Clear out spills or overflowing food quickly, and use pots and pans that are in good working order.
One last note, if your holiday cooking plans include frying, take really good care around hot oil. Never leave a pot of boiling water or oil unattended, and keep a pot lid in close proximity. If the oil starts to flame up, stop it immediately by covering the pot with the lid, turning off the heat, and allowing the stove and pot to cool.
By observing these simple safety tips, you can help prevent or avoid the winter season’s most common fire hazards. Would you like to ascertain more safety tips for renters? We can totally help! Call 801-889-1517 to speak with a professional Lehi property manager today.
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