Preventative Measures: House Fires

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

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Cooking with Caution

Cooking is a great way to bring family and friends together, provide an outlet for creativity, and can be relaxing. But it can also be dangerous if you don’t take the proper precautions. Below are some safety tips to help prevent fires and keep everyone safe.

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or oven.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains — away from your stovetop.
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

If you have a grease fire, here are some tips to stop it.

• On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

Preventing an Outlet Fire

Home electrical fires cause around 51,000 fires each year, with 5,300 of those being directly caused by electrical outlets. It is important to understand the risks that come with something as common as a household outlet, and how to avoid disaster from them:

• Watch out for extension cords and multiple wires that are hidden behind carpets and curtains
  • Overloading Circuits is a common mistake especially for families who possess multiple electronics because they do not split the devices and run a different circuit.
• Install an operating fire extinguisher and smoke detector
• Prepare a plan for emergencies
  • Having a plan prepared can prevent injuries and accelerating the process of leading everyone back to safety.

Fire and smoke damage should not be taken lightly due to the dangers it may cause; action should be taken immediately to prevent further destruction. Smoke can spread throughout an entire structure under a couple of minutes.

If any damages occur after a fire, SERVPRO of Southeast Summit County/Lake Township specializes in residential or commercial services, back to “Like it never even happened.”

 Avoiding Furnace Fires

Like many homeowners, you may wonder what you can do to keep your furnace well-maintained and when you should perform such maintenance. After all, a functioning furnace reduces the chance of a fire and related fire cleaning in your Southeast Summit home.

1. Keep It Clean

Dirt is a troublesome yet common nuisance that can lead to furnace-related fires. The blower, motor, and system itself all need regular cleaning to remove troublesome dirt and debris. Research how to clean your particular unit, or get help from a local professional. Leaving dirt to sit can cause your unit to malfunction and cause a fire-related issue.

2. Replace Filters

Your furnace filters should be replaced regularly. A good rule of thumb is to change them once before cold weather hits, and then once a month during the times that the furnace is in heavy use. Dirty filters can lead to situations that require fire cleaning, much like with other furnace components, and will also not function properly when you are relying on them to keep you and your family warm.

3. Perform Maintenance Early

One of the most important things to remember is that any repairs or other maintenance tasks need to be completed before the cold comes. Otherwise, you will risk using the furnace while it is not in top shape, possibly causing a fire and leading to smoke cleaning. You also will likely have an under-performing furnace that does not quite do its job.

Furnace maintenance is not exactly fun, but neither is a fire. You owe it to yourself and your wallet to take precautions against having a furnace malfunction at home. You will not only avoid fire cleaning in the future - you will also have better peace-of-mind knowing your furnace is ready to keep you heated.

General Fire Preparation

While you take the necessary steps to prevent fires in your Southeast Summit/Lake Township home, sometimes things happen that are out of our control. In those instances, you need to already have a plan in place. Here are five things you can do to be ready should there be a fire in your home.  

1. Maintain Your Smoke Alarms Properly

This includes making sure your smoke alarms are in the proper places, have fresh batteries, and are tested at least once a month to make sure they are ready to alert you in case of danger.  

1. Ensure You Have an Exit Plan

Develop an exit strategy with your family. Keep in mind that you should have at least two exit options so that if a fire is blocking one, there is another option for everyone to use. Make sure everyone in your household knows these exits like the backs of their hands.  

1. Have Emergency Contacts

Picking an emergency contact is vital to ensure the safety of your entire family, especially if a family member were to get separated. Make sure that your kids especially memorize the phone number of a neighbor, or a family member who lives close to ensure that they have a safe place to go.  

1. Practice

Practice makes perfect when it comes to fire safety. During a real fire, emotions or panic can make it difficult to think. You should run drills every four to six months, so that, in the event of a fire, everyone knows what to do like second nature, despite the emotions and panic.

1. Calling 911

Make sure everyone in the family knows to call 911 and can recite their address so the first responders can get there as soon as possible.

If you find yourself in need of fire damage restoration, call our pros at SERVPRO of SE Summit/Lake Township today!