Did you know that there were more than 32,000 house fires reported in the UK from 2018 to 2019? This is a shockingly high number, but in reality, this is one of the lowest years on record for house fires.
Though a house fire may seem like a chance accident that will never happen to you, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Now that colder weather is on its way, we’re going to be spending even more time indoors. Unfortunately, this raises the risk of experiencing a house fire. House fires are easily preventable but just about anyone can make a mistake resulting in a fire. When you’re trying to keep your home and family safer, rely on these tips to stop accidental home fires from happening.
Updating your appliances is a great idea since most newer models on the market are more energy efficient. This will not only save you money, but you’ll rest easy knowing you’re helping the environment. An added bonus? These newer models are much safer.
For example, your average furnace is only expected to last around 15-20 years tops. This seems like a long time, but this number can be drastically reduced without proper maintenance and cleaning. The same goes for your oven and even your refrigerator. You never know when an outdated machine will overheat and spark a fire against the dust accumulating in less-frequently cleaned nooks and crannies. If your toaster is on its last legs, don’t feel bad sending it to the scrapyard.
That being said, you should also ensure that the area surrounding the appliance is safe. In your mudroom or basement, you should ensure that heavy machinery that tends to get hot is placed on the appropriate flooring. Concrete has a typical tensile strength of 3,000 psi, making it great for heavy appliances stored in your garage or basement. In your kitchen, be sure to talk with your contractor about the proper flooring around your fridge and stove to be extra safe.
Now that we’re moving into winter, watching those fireplaces, candles, and other open flames is essential.
Who doesn’t want to snuggle up with a cozy candle burning your favorite scents? Unfortunately, it can be easy to forget about candles when you remember an important errand or fall asleep. Should anything knock over that candle or get too close to the flame, a fire could start. If you’re lighting a candle, be sure to keep an eye on it at all times.
Your fireplace is another big cause of fires. Many people are so excited to sit by the warm fireplace that they forget to clean their chimney of build-up. Before you start lounging by the fire, be sure to perform the proper prep to stay safe.
In case you need the refresher, you should also stay safe while cooking. Be sure to clean your hob often to prevent stray food particles from heating up and catching on fire. You should also know to smother a grease fire with a lid instead of pouring water on it. After all, cooking fires are among the top three causes of fires (including smoking-related fires and the aforementioned appliance fires).
In the event that you do have a fire, having a working smoke alarm will be the best way to stay safe. These machines detect smoke and alert home occupants that a fire is happening. In some cases, your smoke detector can even alert the police and call for help. Be sure to check your smoke alarm’s batteries regularly and test it to ensure that it’s working.
These tips might seem like common knowledge, but there’s no shame in refreshing yourself. After all, we should all strive to keep learning since no one is perfect. Even adults make up about 20% of braces patients each year. Keep improving your home — and yourself — to ensure your safety for years to come.