Preventing Winter Fires

12/16/2019 (Permalink)

While practicing prevention of house fires is helpful at any time of year, winter is when homeowners should be most vigilant due to the high rate of fires that occur during the season. The uptick in winter fires is due to several factors, which is the reason we have put together a guide to help you be more educated.

The Most Common Causes of Winter Fires

An Increase in Cooking
The No. 1 cause of house fires at any time of year is always cooking, and even their rates increase in the winter. Because people are cooking holiday meals, baking more and are likely cooking uncommonly used recipes more often in the winter, it can create the perfect environment for cooking fires to start.

The Risk of Heaters
Heating your home safely is an important part of winter fire prevention, as heating is the second-most common cause of winter house fires. Because the safety measures on fireplaces and space heaters are not always adhered to, the margin for error is high when it comes to keeping warm.

Candles and Decorations
Both decorative and celebratory candles are used more often in the winter, and because an open flame always creates an increased risk, this can lead to more frequent winter fires. Additionally, holiday decorations can often pose fire risks due to faulty electrical wiring and the materials they are made out of.

The Best Ways to Prevent Winter Fires

Preventing fires is a wise practice year-round, but the high winter rates make it especially important. By keeping these winter fire prevention tips in mind, you can keep yourself and those around you safe and help to reduce the statistics surrounding winter fires.

• Check smoke alarms once every 30 days and replace every 10 years.
• Always monitor open flames.
• Select space heaters with automatic shut-offs in case they tip over.
• Utilize a screen every time you use a fireplace.
• Draft and practice an emergency escape plan with your household.

If your home has been impacted by damage fire, call us right away. We are leaders in restoration and can help you recover quickly after a fire occurs.