Fire Safety Tips You Need to Know
Winter months lead to holidays, memories – and seasonal fire hazards. The resulting increased usage of fireplaces, candles, and kitchen appliances during the winter months is why there are too many residential fires at this time of year. To make certain to keep your La Mesa home and family safe, it’s essential to grasp really well the basics of good winter fire safety. By adhering to certain uncomplicated tips, you can keep away from the most widespread reasons for winter fires, and guarantee that a delightful winter season is yours to enjoy and relish.
A crackling fire can be precisely what you need for cozy winter nights. But on the other hand, fireplaces should be used carefully and cleaned to check that the flames stay where they should. Another most important safety tip in using a fireplace is to clean it carefully before each operation. Ashes, built-up soot, and debris can become hazards, throwing sparks and causing burns and property damage. Starting with a clean fireplace makes sure that your fire will warm you safely when you light it.
In keeping with cleaning your fireplace, be sure that the damper is working well and is open just before lighting your kindling. This will actually make sure there’s proper ventilation and prevent 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 note, use safeguards every time you’re removing ashes and unburned wood from a fireplace. Coals can hide under ashes and stay hot for three days, so stir ashes heedfully and test for heat just prior to scooping them out. And remember to execute an annual chimney sweep to keep creosote deposits from ruining the festivities.
Aside from fireplaces, candles are other prospective sources for dangerous residential fires. Open flames can create an enjoyable mood in your home, but at the same time, they should always be used with care. According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles start an average of 7,610 home structure fires each year. To constantly keep the risk of fire low, you should at all times put 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. Consequently, you can enjoy all of your candle-lit evenings safely.
It’s not coincidental that a lot of our winter holidays are connected to yummy treats and special meals. But at the same time, all that extra cooking also means that kitchen fires happen more commonly 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 main reason for these fires is food or kitchen appliances left unattended.
To be sure that a kitchen fire doesn’t screw up your holidays, see to it that you stay in the kitchen every time you’re simmering or baking food. It’s likewise imperative to set a timer to remind yourself to take out food from the stove or oven when you’re done cooking. The majority of home cooking fires happen on the stovetop, so really make sure to keep flammable objects (including dish towels and other fabrics) well away from your stove before turning any of the burners on. Wipe up spills or overflowing food right away, and use pots and pans that are in good condition.
Lastly, if your holiday cooking plans include frying, use great caution around hot oil. Never leave a pot of boiling water or oil unattended, and keep a pot lid close by. 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 minding these simple safety tips, you can effortlessly keep away from the winter season’s most common fire hazards. Would you like to learn and understand more safety tips for renters? We can definitely help! Call 858-997-2100 or 951-461-0100 to speak with a professional La Mesa property manager today.
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