According to the National Fire Protection Agency, December, January and February are the leading months for home heating fires. It may come as a surprise to learn that overall, heating equipment is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire deaths. In order to keep you safe this chilly season, we’ve generated a few safety precautions you should take in order to remain safe this season!
Holiday Horror
The seasons have come to an end, but have you packed away those festive decorations yet? Christmas trees are extremely flammable and the longer you wait to trash your tree, the higher your chances of it igniting are. Trees lose water quickly, and the dry bark and needles combined with lights and electrical outlets is a recipe for disaster.
Caution: Candles
Forgetting to blow out a candle before you leave the house is a good way to melt all your fine china set ablaze. But ironically, most candle-fires occur while people are home. The fault in these scenarios belongs to the decorator. Sure, that cinnamon scented candle looks great on the side table next to a box of tissues and a curtain, but are you willing to lose your house for decors sake?
Keep an Eye on What You Fry
Your kitchen probably sees a lot of you during the holidays (and your favorite in-laws, and their pesky kids, and your beer-lovin’ uncle…) so keep it clean and organized! This will ensure that there will be no slips and falls in an area that holds a lot of sharp and heated equipment.
It’s also a good idea to wear short sleeves when you cook. Long sleeves, bathrobes, sweatshirts and jackets can ignite quickly if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. Follow basic cooking guidelines- keep an eye on what you fry, never leave the house when something’s cooking, and double check that ovens and stoves are turned off when you’re finished using them.
Roasting Marshmallows by the Fire
With this winter’s weather forecast, Miller’s predicts you’ll get heavy use out of your fireplace with scattered hot cocoa and mid-day bubble baths. While you can’t escape the cold, you can do a few things to make your home a bit more comfortable. Safeguard your home by routinely having your hot water heater, furnace, and chimney inspected.