Preventing Winter House Fires

11/9/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know...

The threat of a home catching on fire is the greatest during the winter months? Half of all home fires occur during the months of December, January and February. 1 in 7 house fires is a result of malfunctioning or misused heating equipment.

Here are some tips to keep your home safe while keeping warm during the winter.

• Have your fireplace, heating vents and dryer vents inspected and cleaned by a professional every year.
• If you use your fireplace, make sure you clean after every use. Dispose of ashes correctly by placing them in a metal can at least ten feet from the house.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or space heaters
• Plug only one heat-producing appliance (such as a space heater) into an electrical outlet at a time.
• If portable generators are needed, keep them outside, away from windows and as far away as possible from your home. Make sure someone is home to supervise.
• Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.

These are simple but effective steps to take to safeguard your home against a fire this winter season.

Remember, SERVPRO of Hattiesburg can clean fire, smoke, and soot damage to make it “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call at 601-544-0512.