Preventing Winter Fires
During the cold winter months there are many hazards in your home that can lead to a fire. Heating, holiday decorations, and candles increase the risk of fire in the winter. Being aware of these hazards can help you keep your home safer from fire.
Fires from Heating Systems
According to the NFPA, the months with the most heating fires are December, January, and February. Heating is the second leading cause of fires in U.S. homes. Space heaters contribute to two out of five home heating fires. One of the leading contributing factors for heating fires is failure to clean chimneys.
To prevent heating fires, you should keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from heating equipment such as space heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces. It is also good practice to have chimneys and heating equipment cleaned every year by a professional. Always remember to turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or sleeping.
Candles and Holiday Decorations
The peak time for candle fires is the month of December. Holiday decorations such as Christmas trees and lights can also be a fire hazard. The top three days for candle fires are Christmas, New Year’s Day, and New Year’s Eve.
Keep your home safe during the holidays and the entire winter season by practicing fire safety. Make sure candles are far away from anything that could burn such as decorations, furniture, and Christmas trees. Make sure your Christmas tree is at least 3 feet away from space heaters and fireplaces.
Electrical Fires
Another leading cause of home fires is electrical equipment. According to the NFPA, “From 2011-2015, Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in the ignition of 34,000 reported home structure fire, on average, per year.”
There are some things you can do to prevent electrical fires in your home. First, make sure all your electrical work is done by a qualified electrician. Only plug one heat producing appliance into an outlet at a time. Do not use extension cords to plug in large appliances like refrigerators or dryers.
Protect your Home with W&M
W&M Sprinkler can help you protect your home from fire this winter by installing a fire sprinkler system in your home. We have three locations in Hawthorne, NY, Bronx, NY, and Plantsville, CT to better serve your needs. We can inspect, test, and repair fire sprinkler systems. W&M also provides 24 hour emergency services for your fire protection system. To learn more about the services provided by W&M, contact us today.
