The Likelihood of Fires Increases In Winter

11/28/2023 (Permalink)

As the cold weather approaches, people often resort to alternative heating methods to stay warm. However, these methods can pose a fire hazard if not used with caution. To ensure safety during the winter months, it is important to keep the following four things in mind:

Fireplaces and Wood Burning Stoves

• Shield the fireplace with a grate to prevent flying sparks from igniting in the room.
• Keep any flammable materials at least 4 feet away from the fire place.
• Perform regular maintenance and cleaning on your fireplace and/or wood burning stove.
• Make sure there are no cracks in your chimney and that the top is properly capped to keep out debris throughout the year.

Space Heaters

• Use only space heaters with a “tip switch,” ones that shut off automatically if tipped over.
• Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.
• Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from anything flammable.
• Make sure there is adequate ventilation and base/floor support in the areas where you will use a space heater.

Electric Blankets

• Check for charred or frayed cords or any dark spots, these may indicate a potential problem with the electrical element.
• Don’t allow anyone or anything on top of the blanket when it is in use, this could lead to overheating.
• Similarly, don’t fold or tuck in the blanket when it is in use, as this could also lead to overheating.
• An electric blanket should never be left unattended or used while one is sleeping.

Smoke Alarms

It is always a good idea to check your fire alarms on a regular basis, preferably once a year. Before lighting a fire or using a heating element, make sure to double-check your alarms.

At SERVPRO of Milton/Braintree, we take pride in being leaders in the community for both fire prevention and fire damage restoration. Our company is locally owned and operated and is part of a nationwide franchise network with specialized Disaster Recovery Teams to handle fire catastrophes. We understand how devastating a fire can be and believe prevention tips should be discussed more frequently.