Fire Prevention & Safety Tips
Fire Place & Candle Safety
- Use a smart surface. Always place candles on a non-flammable surface, and keep them away from paper, curtains, and other items that could be easily ignited.
- Use a screen in front of the hearth. Make sure it’s large and heavy enough to encompass the entire opening and to stop any stray logs from rolling out of the fireplace.
- Never leave fire unattended. Candles may be small, and the flames they produce may be even smaller, but it takes just a few seconds for a candle to fall over and start a blaze.
- Never burn paper, trash, or green wood Aside from being highly flammable, scraps of burning paper or trash may actually drift up through the chimney or pipe and land on—and light up—your roof.
- Perform regular check-ups. Chimneys and woodstoves require annual cleaning and inspection.
Laundry Room Safety
- Dryer Ducts Properly installed dryer ducts should vent directly outdoors, never to a room or area inside the house, as the air discharge can contain a combination of combustible gases.
- Dryer Maintenance Keep the duct free of lint to help reduce the chance of fire spreading from the dryer to the vent. Clean the lint trap after every use.
- Choosing a Dryer Vent Always avoid plastic duct work which can more easily be melted or ignited. Choose a vent duct which is constructed of metal and be sure it has the fewest bends as possible between the dryer and the outside.
- Dryer Cleaning A professional should also help you periodically dismantle the dryer to clean between the dryer drum and the heat element.
Kitchen Safety
- Keep your cooking area clean Keep stove and counter surfaces free of clutter, grease, and any potentially flammable items.
- Never leave your cooking unattended. Always keep your stove company. Especially if you’re frying something. It’s one of the simplest fire safety tips, but it’s also the leading cause of kitchen fires.
- Use your Kitchen Timer. It is very easy to become distracted by a phone call, the kids playint etc. A properly set timer can remind you to switch off the burner or oven helping to avoid burning of food or worse.
