Fire Starters We Often Forget About

4/24/2020 (Permalink)

As you you increase cooking, laundry and DIY's, hyper-vigilance becomes necessary.

As you continue to spend time quarantined at your Mahoning County residence, at home fire risks increase significantly. As you you increase cooking, laundry and DIY's, hyper-vigilance becomes necessary. Here are some things to look out for in order to avoid an in home fire.

1. Don’t forget about food in the oven. If you are baking, toasting or heating up anything in your oven, always set a timer and do not forget! Make it a habit to set a timer immediately after placing items in the oven. You could sit down to eat, do laundry or take a long shower and come out to smoke, oven damage and worst case scenario, a fire in your home. 

2.Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stove tops. This would include any mail or paper products, paper towels, napkins, wooden baskets, etc. 

3. Never leave any portable heaters or candles unattended. If you have kids or pets at home, be especially aware of this. Young children or animals can knock over a heater or candle and cause a fire to start and spread quickly. Additionally, do not leave space heaters on a rug or carpet. 

4. Keep matches and lighters out of your children’s reach. 

5. Make sure your smoke alarms are properly working. Change the batteries in them so you know they will detect smoke. Replace any smoke alarms that are over 10 years old and test your new alarm monthly. 

6. Washing machines are another potential fire starter that most people don't think of. Washers have capacitors that use oil. If the capacitor fails or ruptures, it can cause a fire. The drum bearing could also cause a fire if it breaks and creates friction that heats up and burns things nearby. Be sure to stay home when you are doing laundry to avoid any accidents in the laundry room.

7. Lastly, have a quick chat with your family about a fire safety plan and escape route. Discuss what doors to use and how to open windows if the doors are not accessible during a fire. You might never think it can happen to you. However, the biggest mistake we make in this situation is failing to prepare for a disaster. 

Feel free to reach out to us at SERVPRO of East Mahoning County. We are able to answer your fire damage questions 24/7. Call us at (330) 536-7477.