While the cold weather of the winter season may seem like an unsuspecting scene for a fire, these chilly winter months present a number of fire risks to your home. Keep your home a safe and warm winter sanctuary this season by taking preventative measures against these five types of winter fires.
When using candles during a power outage, be sure to have a well-maintained fire extinguisher on hand for any unexpected issues.
Christmas Tree Disposal
As the holiday season comes to an end, dispose of your Christmas tree as soon as possible to prevent a fire caused by the drying needles and remaining lights. These fires are the quickest to start, with flash-over starting in less than a minute, leaving you little time to react to the flames. By preparing your fire alarm system at the start of the season, you can stay ahead of any unexpected issues with your tree.
Heating
As the second leading cause of winter fires in the U.S, heating fires often stem from the use of generators or space heaters within a home. Although they are small and often harmless looking, space heaters remain the leading type of heating equipment for causing 2 in every 5 home heating fires. If you are using yours during the day, keep these powerful little tools away from curtains and other furniture in your home, and avoid leaving them on for extended periods of time.
Candles
Similar to the space heater, these tiny sources of light can cause big problems as a fire hazard in your home. When using a candle, be sure to have a well-maintained fire extinguisher on hand for any unexpected issues.
Electrical
While electrical fires are among the most common types of winter fires, they are also some of the more preventable ones throughout the year. Prevent these dangerous fires in your home by checking your washer and dryer fans periodically, as well as replacing electrical equipment with frayed or faulty wires.
Generators
Although your generator may be an excellent tool for power outages, they can be especially hazardous due to the carbon monoxide that they sometimes emit when powering your home. When checking your fire alarms, be sure to also check your generator for any red flags before use.
Prevent Winter Fires With Anderson Fire Protection
Anderson Fire Protection has the expertise and skill to help your home or commercial property upgrade to the latest smart smoke detectors. We have been working in the Maryland, Northern Virginia, Southern Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. areas for over 25 years, and we are known for our top-notch customer service and high quality results. If you are ready for fantastic fire prevention and protection services, from fire sprinkler installation to fire alarm design and consulting, give us a call at (410) 796-4915 or visit us online. For more fire safety tips to keep your property safe, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.