3 Tips for Home Fire Prevention

Despite having the word "flood" in our name, we also understand how an unchecked fire can lead to damage either from something catching  fire and burning a home down or from the smoke that results from a strong blaze and leads to ruined furniture and valuables. According to the National Fire Protection Association, over 11,000 civilians were injured in 2015 from fires that started within the home. Below, we have provided a trio of tips to bear in mind in order to prevent a potential fire from affecting your home.

Tip #1: Be Mindful of Potential Heat Sources

Make sure that you have the house's heating system regularly checks by professionals. The term "heating system" includes any area where heat, flames or smoke are common, such as a fireplace or chimney. You want to make sure that all heat sources are clean and kept free of particulates that could potentially ignite and cause a fire.

It is also important to remember that a clothes dryer is a potential fire hazard if the lint trap is not regularly cleared. Should a clog develop in the dryer's filter or its lint trap, temperatures inside the dryer can grow beyond the rate that air escapes and the lint can be forced into contact with the dryer's heating element; resulting in a fire hazard.

Tip #2: Minimize the Chances For A Blaze Around the House

Keep potential sources of kindling as far away from the home as possible. Remember that this can include:

• Piles of firewood or dead tree limbs.
• Leaves either bagged up or left on the ground.
• Any form of trash or debris that can potentially work as an accelerant, such as anything oil- or paper-based.

Even a small patch of grass can lead to a massive blaze if it makes contact with any of the above, which may then spread to your house if left nearby. When disposing of hot ashes, toss them into a metal container far away from the home and any garage or tool shed.

As for mindfulness inside the house, keep vessels of cooking oil far from the stove. When cooking something that involves oil, you should always pay attention to the stove. If a grease fire flares up, immediately cut off the burner and then suffocate the blaze by covering it with either a lid or generous amounts of baking soda.

Tip #3: Be Mindful of Your Electrical Needs

Be exceedingly mindful of heating devices commonly sold during the winter season. While space heaters are great for warming a room, they can elevate temperatures to levels sufficient for starting fires. Be mindful of outlet extensions and power strips; too many active devices can overload circuitry. Always replace old or distressed power cords.

If you have any issues or concerns with fire or smoke damage, please don't hesitate to contact us at Utah Flood Cleanup. We can be reached through our website or over the phone at (801) 416-2666.

About the Author:

Josh Ray is a disaster cleanup professional and the owner of Utah Flood Cleanup. He is a certified mold professional, asbestos inspector, water damage IICRC carpet cleaning professional, and holds a RRP certification. You can rest easy knowing an experienced professional is helping repair you fire damage, water damage, or mold remediation issue.

Utah Flood Cleanup
685 E. 2850 N.
North Ogden, UT 84414
(801) 416-2666