When we think about house fires, we typically think about fireplaces and portable heaters or turning on the heating system. We think of winter time and all of the sources of heat we use and how they can quickly turn into fire disasters if caution isn’t taken. But when the season’s change and heat is no longer needed, it doesn’t mean we should stop thinking about preventing fires in our homes. Fire hazards are present no matter what time of year it is and spring brings a whole new set of fire hazards that everyone should pay attention to.
Smoke alarms are not associated with any weather. But they should be routinely checked, cleaned, and have batteries replaced. It’s good to do this every 6-12 months. An annual smoke alarm test is recommended and this is probably one of the most important precautions when it comes to house fires. Add this to your spring cleaning list and you’ll never forget it.
Don’t forget to clean the lint traps and vents in your dryer. Uncleaned dryers are a huge cause of house fires and are very preventable. The lint traps should be cleaned out with every load of laundry and the vent pipes should be cleaned at least once a year. This is another good one to add to your spring cleaning list. During the summer, opt to use a clothesline instead of the dryer if you have one. It will save on energy and decrease the risk of a house fire. Professional cleaning and restoration companies can clean out your air ducts and your dryer vent pipes at the same time.
Cleaning your chimney seems like a winter-time task, but fall and winter are when you want to use the fireplace. Get it prepped and ready by having a routine annual cleaning done during the spring. You can schedule this with your other spring cleaning fire safety tasks and taken care of before it’s time to use it. Make sure that you are getting your fireplace and chimney inspected every year as well.
Springtime is the best time for outdoor activities and big get-togethers. Barbecues are the perfect way to combine the two. When it comes to outdoor grilling, the NFPA reports that an average of 8,900 house fires is a result. Take extra time this spring to prep your home and family with fire safety tips for grilling.
Fire prevention isn’t that difficult. It is mostly a combination of being aware and being diligent. Take a couple of extra steps this spring before you start the springtime bbq’s and get-together’s and prepare your home and your family. Make sure everybody is on the same page and understands that the point of fire safety is to make sure that everybody is happy and safe. It could be helpful to contact fire damage professionals and see if they have tips and suggestions for fire prevention as well.
If a fire does occur in your home, contact TRAC Solutions, a professional restoration company. We can respond immediately to a fire disaster.
