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Staying Warm Without Starting House Fires | SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte
1/16/2024 (Permalink)
Fire safety is a top priority for us at SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte this winter. Keep your home safe with these helpful tips!
The temperatures have dropped, and we are all spending much more time indoors at this time of year. While we are grateful to not suffer through extreme winter weather, we do see our fair share of chilly days and snow is not out of the question on any given year.
While we hunker down for the season, many of us lean on our heat sources like fireplaces and space heaters for some extra warmth. Unfortunately, that’s also what causes a spike in house fires across our community. Our SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte team explains more about how to stay warm without starting an out-of-control fire below.
A softly crackling fire can be the perfect backdrop for the season, but only if your fireplace is properly prepared. Wood-burning fireplaces need to be cleaned regularly to remove ash buildup, and the chimney should be inspected and cleaned to remove creosote buildup.
Keep flammable materials and possessions far away from the fireplace as well as off the mantle, and make sure you are checking your smoke detectors regularly and replacing batteries as needed. If your fireplace is gas or electric, you should be inspecting it before turning it on to check for loose lines or leaks.
We all love the portability and convenience that space heaters can offer, but they can be dangerous if they are misused. In fact, space heater mishaps are responsible for 1,700 house fires every year.
The best way to avoid space heater fires is to make sure the surface you set yours up on is able to withstand the heat. Choose a hard, nonflammable surface that is far away from things like curtains and couch cushions, and always check the cord for signs of fraying before turning it on.
Create a three-foot barrier around your heaters to keep your kids and pets away from it, and never leave it unattended in a room. In addition, you should always be turning off your space heater completely before going to bed.
Not all space heaters are good investments, so doing your research before buying anything is always recommended. Just because it’s cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean its a good (or safe) deal!
First, choose a reliable company that has passed all of their certifications for safety and check their reviews to make sure it has been a reliable purchase for other users. A helpful feature that you should consider is a safety shutoff switch. These switches are programmed to turn your heater off after a certain period of use, which can be really helpful for busy families or if you have trouble remembering to turn things off.
Finally, you need to inspect the cord that is attached to the heater. It should be well-made and not showing any signs of fraying or have any loose connections, and it should also be at least six feet long so you can easily set it up in a safe location.
Have a safe and warm winter season! If you do suffer from any sort of fire damage, call SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte right away for a quick and reliable restoration.
A quick fire damage restoration is just a phone call away. Call SERVPRO® for immediate assistance.