Staying Safe this Holiday Season

12/23/2020 (Permalink)

Since this year has been anything but normal and we are staying home much more than normal; the following are some tips from us at SERVPRO of Burlington to help prevent a loss during the holidays.

Maintain your smoke alarms

Maintain by testing the batteries once a month. If they’re not working, replace them immediately.

Inspect your heating source

Regardless of what kind of heating you have in your home, an annual inspection will reduce your risk of fire.

Change filters on a regular basis. Dust and lint can catch fire

Keep the stove and oven clear.

Don’t leave anything flammable near the stove or oven. Never rest towels, hot pads or a cookbook on the stove.

Check the dryer.

No matter what type of dryer you have, always clean out the lint trap after a load is finished. Regularly check behind and around the dryer for pockets of lint or items of laundry that have fallen under or behind.

Maintain cords.

Regularly check the condition of cords: repair or replace cords with frayed wires immediately. Electrical cords can produce heat, so don’t trap them under a rug or between furniture and the wall.

Store flammable products properly.

Many household cleaners and cosmetic products like shaving cream and hair spray are flammable. Keep flammable products away from heat, including exposure to sunlight.

Be careful with candles.

Never leave candles unattended and always keep them away from flammable items like blankets and curtains. Place candles in secure, tip-proof holders and extinguish them before leaving or going to sleep.

Use the fireplace responsibly.

Install a durable metal fire screen in front of your fireplace. Don’t leave a fire unattended, and give ashes ample time to cool down before disposing of them. Always place fireplace ash in a dedicated metal container..

Keep fire extinguishers handy.

At the very least, keep one in the kitchen and others near high-risk areas like a fireplace. Regularly review the instructions and make sure all members of the home know how to properly use the extinguisher.

Fire damage can be devastating, but you can minimize the risk of fire in your home. Make these practices part of your fire safety plan and review them regular

According to the American Red Cross, house fires cause over $7 billion in property damage each year. Being prepared and conducting regular safety checks can help keep you from adding to that number.