Tips for Preventing Winter Fires -Germantown ,MD

Heating, cooking, decorations, and candles all contribute to an increased risk of fire during the winter. According to the National Fire Protection Association, home fires are more common in the winter than in any other season (NFPA). As the temperature drops and snowflakes fall, it's more important than ever to take the necessary precautions to protect your family and property from the dangers of winter fires.

Be cautious of space heaters.

The months of December, January, and February are ideal for heat-related fires. Space heaters must be kept at least three feet away from combustible materials like upholstered furniture, tapestries, beds, or bedding, and they must be turned off when leaving or sleeping. Wearing anything near or on the device, as well as covering or laying anything on top of the wire, is also prohibited. Keep a three-foot radius around space heaters clear of children.

Practice candle safety.

When using candles for holiday lighting, keep them at least a foot away from anything combustible, never leave them unattended, and keep them out of reach of children. Make it a habit to check that all flames have been extinguished before going to bed or leaving the room.

Play it safe in the kitchen.

Because cooking is the leading cause of home fires and accidents, knowing how to keep your friends and family safe while entertaining during the winter months is critical. The most common causes of kitchen fires are unattended stovetops and ovens. Keep an eye on your meal while it is boiling, baking, or roasting, and set a timer to remind you to check it. When cooking for extended periods of time, use the exhaust fan or vent above your stove to help prevent carbon monoxide (CO) from building up inside your home.

Decorate with care.

During the winter, decorations are moved in and out of storage, posing a fire hazard. Examine the sockets for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or weak connections, and throw away any damaged sets. Also, avoid overloading a single outlet with too many lights; overheating circuits can cause a fire. Keep open flames, lights, and other sources of heat at least three feet away from any holiday decorations.

Have a fire extinguisher on hand.

To keep you and your family safe at home, it's critical to keep fire extinguishers on hand – and to know how to use them. When time is of the essence, having a fire extinguisher on hand is critical. Fire extinguishers should be kept in easily accessible locations as well as in critical rooms where fires are more likely to occur, such as the kitchen and garage. For general protection, select a multi-rated fire extinguisher, such as the First Alert Rechargeable Home Fire Extinguisher, which can extinguish most household fires.

If your home has been damaged by a fire and you require restoration services, contact Restoration 1 of Germantown today.