Tips to Prevent House Fires

10/26/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall, we focus on the safety of our customers and find ways to make sure they don’t have water or fire damage in their homes again.

Here are some tips to prevent house fires:

· Test Your Smoke Alarms Regularly

The easiest way to avoid a house fire is by checking your smoke alarms regularly. There is a little button on it that you can press to test it. If it beeps weakly, then you need to change the batteries ASAP. 

· Keep Your Stove and Oven Clean

Don’t worry, the stove didn’t randomly combust because of your cooking. It most likely happened because forgotten food particles on the burner got too hot. Food particles aren’t the only thing that could cause this to happen. 

· Always Check Your Dryer 

Depending on what type of dryer you have, they need to be inspected on a yearly basis. We all get in a hurry when we’re doing our chores but, don’t forget to clean out your lint trap every time you put in a new load of laundry.  You also want to check behind the machine to make sure lint or little clothing items like socks didn’t manage to get back there. 

· Maintain All Cords 

Before you plug something in, make sure that the cord hasn’t been frayed or chewed. If you do notice damaged wires, replace them as soon as possible because this is a huge fire hazard. Also, check your cord placement. They tend to get hot so you want to avoid running them under a rug or between your wall and furniture. 

· Properly Store Flammable Products 

Household cleaners and common cosmetic items like hairspray and shaving cream can be hazardous. If they are exposed to a large heat source, they can combust. You want to keep them away from space heaters, and store them safely in a cool area.

· Be Careful with Your Fireplace 

You don’t want any stray sparks to escape so you need to make sure you have a door between the flames and your flooring. It goes without saying, but never leave the room when the fireplace is going. When you throw the ashes away, make sure you’ve given them more than enough time to cool down. Dispose of them in a metal container that is designated just for the ashes. 

· Keep Fire Extinguishers Around 

Fire extinguishers are your best defense weapon when a fire breaks out. You want to make sure you have one in every room that is a potential threat, such as the kitchen. Every family member should know how to use an extinguisher so if a fire does happen, it can be put out as fast as possible. 

If you experience a fire in your home; call SERVPRO of Easton, Bethlehem & Whitehall to help make your home look "Like it never even happened.” 800-455-9453