According to the National Fire Protection Association, around 1.39 million fires were reported in the United States in 2023.
Home fire prevention is an essential aspect of home safety that shouldn’t be overlooked.
With proper precautions, loss of lives and property damage due to home fires can be prevented.
Let’s learn about the top seasonal fire safety tips for homeowners to protect your home all year.
Inspect Your Carbon Dioxide Detectors and Smoke Alarms Regularly
In a home fire, your first line of defense is usually smoke alarms.
Always ensure that the smoke alarms in every area of your home, especially near bedrooms, are working properly.
Conduct monthly tests to keep the smoke alarms in optimal functioning.
In addition, the batteries should be changed twice yearly or when the alarm indicates a low battery.
Change all the smoke detectors in your home every ten years or as the manufacturer recommends.
Carbon monoxide detectors also help fireproof your home.
Install them near sleeping areas on every level of your house and check them regularly to ensure they’re functioning properly to protect your home from seasonal fire hazards.
Check the Heating Equipment
Heating equipment keeps you warm, especially during winter.
Before the onset of the cold season, inspect all heating equipment, including the fireplace, pellet stoves, space heater, and furnace.
Reach out to a professional to inspect your furnaces and remove any debris or dirt that may cause a fire.
If you’re using space heaters, always ensure they have been tested for safety.
Never leave your space heaters unattended; keep them away from flammable material.
Creosote buildup in chimneys is a major cause of chimney fires.
Have a professional clean your flue and chimney annually for fire prevention for families living in your property.
Use a glass door or screen to contain embers and sparks.
Furthermore, only use seasoned wood in your stove or fireplace.
Avoid using Christmas trees, paper, or cardboard.
Cooking Safety
Among the major causes of home fires is cooking.
The kitchen is usually buzzing with activity during holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Below are some measures you can put in place to prevent kitchen fires:
- Have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and learn how to use it
- Never leave anything cooking in your kitchen unattended
- Use a timer as a reminder when you’re cooking food
- Keep flammable items such as paper and dish towels away from the stove
- Always keep the pit handles facing inward to prevent spills
Teach Your Family About Fire Hazards
Educating your family, especially young children, on fire safety is essential.
Provide your kids with fire safety lessons and ways they should respond in an emergency.
Moreover, a home fire escape plan should be developed.
Keep everyone engaged in practice drills and discussing escape routes during seasonal fire hazards.
Equip your children with the basic technique of stopping, dropping, and rolling if their clothes catch fire.
Additionally, learn how to treat burns and the essential skills of pediatric and adult first aid to save lives during fires.
Keep a Well-Stocked Emergency Kit
Always maintain a well-stocked emergency kit in your home to ensure your family stays safe during a fire.
Include essential items in your kit.
These include:
- Batteries
- Phone chargers
- Flashlight
- Non-perishable food
- Water
The kit should include personal items like identification documents or medications for all family members.
These will be useful during an evacuation in case of a fire crisis.
Comforting items like coloring books or small toys for children can also be added as a distraction during tense moments.
Your emergency kit should have first aid and CPR supplies suitable for both children and adults.
These help you act confidently in a panic-inducing scenario.
Electrical and Candle Safety
Home fires caused by overloaded circuits and faulty wiring are quite common.
Avoid using damaged plugs or cords or overloading outlets to prevent electrical fires.
Ensure you use surge protectors to keep your electronic devices safe.
If you notice tripped circuit breakers, warm outlets, or flickering lights, call a qualified electrician to inspect them.
Also, don’t run extension cords behind furniture or under rugs.
During holiday seasons, always turn off the lights when going to bed or stepping out.
Avoid overloading electric circuits with a lot of holiday lights.
If possible, choose flame-resistant decorations.
Moreover, when using candles during holidays or for warmth, opt for battery-operated ones as they’re safer.
Ensure your candles are far from flammable items like bedding and curtains.
Candles should also be on a stable surface and in sturdy holders.
Additionally, all cleaning products should be stored in a cool, dry place and away from heat sources.
Ensure Your Fire Extinguisher Is Up-To-Date
Household fire extinguishers are crucial in case of an emergency.
Keep your fire extinguisher within ten feet of a stove, fireplace, or other places where a fire is most likely to occur.
It should also be easily accessible, in your line of sight, and out of reach of children.
Further, ensure the household fire extinguisher is well-maintained.
At Certizona Fire & Safety, we inspect and service fire extinguishers for your home’s safety.
The NFPA requires fire extinguishers to be examined and maintained annually to operate effectively and safely.
Certizona also offers a recharge service, which includes replacing or refilling extinguishing expellant or agents, o-rings, nitrogen, and tamper seals.
It’s recommended that fire extinguishers be recharged immediately after every use.
You can also get fire extinguisher training at Certizona to prepare you for seasonal fire hazards.
Learn Fire Safety Tips for Homeowners From Certizona Fire & Safety
Taking proactive measures to keep your home and family safe throughout the year is essential.
Fire safety tips for homeowners, including checking your heating equipment, inspecting smoke detectors, and educating yourself and your family, can reduce the risk of home fires.
At Certizona Fire & Safety in Phoenix, AZ, we’re experts in maintaining and inspecting fire safety equipment.
We provide reliable mobile services and quality products at a competitive and honest price.
Contact us today to efficiently protect your home and loved ones from seasonal fire hazards.
Looking for Fire Extinguishers Service Near Me?
Trust Certizona Fire & Safety for expert fire extinguisher services throughout Arizona. Our experienced team ensures your fire safety equipment is up to code and ready to protect your property in any emergency.
Call (623) 227-2092 or request an online quote today!
