Common Causes of Wintertime Home Fires and How to Prevent Them

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville specializes in cleaning and restoring fire-damaged contents and structures.

Home fires during the wintertime are often caused by homeowners attempting to heat their homes. Space heaters and chimneys are usually the sources of these accidents. Follow our fire safety tips below to carefully warm your home and avoid starting a fire this winter.

Fire Safety Tips for Space Heaters

• Only plug space heaters directly into wall outlets. Do not plug into surge protectors or power strips
• Turn space heaters off at night and when you are not home
• Keep space heaters three feet from flammable items like curtains or decorations
• Unplug space heaters when not in use

Fire Safety Tips for Chimneys

• Inspect chimneys once a year, either by yourself or hire a professional. Have the chimney cleaned and repaired when necessary
• Make sure the damper or flue is open before starting a fire
• Inspect chimney for debris, nests, or obstructions each time before starting a fire
• Use dry and well-aged wood to avoid soot buildup
• Place flammable items like decorations at least three feet from the chimney

If a fire does occur, then only attempt to extinguish the fire yourself if it is in the early stages and has not started spreading. Once a fire begins to spread rapidly, it is safer to exit the home and call 911. Do not reenter the home until firefighters and emergency personnel tell you it is safe to do so.

SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville’s fire restoration team has the knowledge and experience to make a fire disaster “Like it never even happened.” From restoring fire-damaged contents to removing smoke odors, SERVPRO of Greater Covington and Mandeville is here to help 24/7/365.