South Bay Energy: Keeping Your Home Safe from Winter Fires

You might think it’s ironic, but the coldest months of the year are also some of the busiest months for fire fighters in the U.S, mostly because of fires caused by heaters and fireplaces. Space heaters are the most common cause of heating-related fires; they are responsible for 40% of these conflagrations. Here are some tips to help you keep your home safe from fire this winter.

1. Fireplace safety. A nice, crackling wood-fed fire might make your home feel warm and cozy, but open flames are always a safety threat. Before using your fireplace, have the chimney cleaned for debris and creosote. The latter is a greasy, flammable material that accounts for a significant number of household fires each year. When you do use your fireplace, always use a metal or tempered-glass screen to keep embers from spilling over to the floor and carpet.

2. Space heater safety. Winter is a good time to check if your space heaters still function properly. While most new space heaters available in the market have an automatic shut-off function that is triggered after a number of hours or when they are tipped over, not all older models have this feature. Have your space heaters checked by a qualified electrician or go out and get new ones. New space heaters might be an extra expense, but your family’s safety is even more precious.

3.  Home redecoration. The winter holidays are an occasion for decking your home with festive decorations. However, you should always consider your safety and your family’s first when you choose holiday décor. Choose those that are treated with fire retardant and avoid those that are made with dry, flammable material, such as pine cones and needles. Keep everything else that could burn at least three feet away from heaters and fireplaces and enforce a three-foot zone that cannot be entered by kids and pets around heat sources.