Heating, holiday decorations, winter storms and candles all contribute to an increased risk of fire during the winter months. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), home fires occur more in the winter than in any other season. Heating equipment is involved in one of every six reported home fires, and one in every five home fire deaths. These home maintenance tasks advised by Safewise and the NFPA take only a few minutes and can keep your home safe all year.
Check fire extinguishers
Kitchen fires are serious business. From 2012 to 2016, cooking was the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries and the second leading cause behind home fire deaths.
You can keep an accident from becoming a tragedy by investing in a fire extinguisher and training your family on how to use it. If you already have one, check the gauge to make sure it’s in the green. If not, get it recharged.
Clean out the oven
Did you know that 8% of home cooking fires are caused by dirty ovens or ranges? Grime and food built up over the year can render your oven a grimy fire hazard if you don’t clean it regularly. The good news is cleaning the oven is as easy as following the instructions on your favorite brand of oven cleaner. Just make sure you open a kitchen window to provide adequate ventilation.
Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Dead batteries caused 25% of smoke alarm failures from 2012 to 2016. Simple routine maintenance can keep your home much safer. This February, check all the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re functional. If it’s been over 10 years since you last replaced these units, invest a little cash and replace your existing detectors.
Clean the dryer vent (and check for blockages outside).
Having the buildup of lint cleaned from your dryer vent at least once a year is essential to keeping your dryer working efficiently and preventing a potential dryer fire. In winter, snow can block the exterior vent, so take a walk outside your home to inspect the vent and remove snow or debris if needed.
Check your Portable Generator
Portable generators are useful during power outages, however, many homeowners are unaware that the improper use of portable generators can be risky. The most common dangers associated with portable generators are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, electrical shock or electrocution, and fire hazards. According to a 2013 Consumer Product Safety Commission report, half of the generator-related deaths happened in the four coldest months of the year, November through February, and portable generators were involved in the majority of carbon monoxide deaths involving engine-driven tools.
Candles
Candle fires peak in December and January with 11 percent of candle fires in each of these months. Christmas is the peak day for candle fires. Each year between 2015-2019, an average of 7,400 home candle fires were reported each year.
Electrical
Electrical home fires are a leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Roughly half of all home electrical fires involved electrical distribution or lighting equipment, while nearly another half involved other known types of equipment like washer or dryer fans, and portable or stationary space heaters.
Get your Chimney Cleaned
Most experts recommend that you clean your chimney or hire chimney cleaning services at least once a year. The best time is before you begin frequent burning, so during the warm season in spring and summer, but if you never got around to getting your chimney serviced before Winter, there’s still time.
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