Fire Damage Safety Tips & Prevention
6/2/2014 (Permalink)
Following these fire safety tips can greatly reduce the risk of fire damage in your home or office.
Fire Saftey Tips and Prevention
Electricity
Electrical distribution equipment poses serious fire safety threats that can even be fatal, especially when equipment is used incorrectly.
Electrical Safety Basics
Protect electrical outlets with plastic safety covers if small children are present in your homeNever operate electrical appliances around bathtubs, showers, or puddles of standing waterUse ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection when working where water is near electricity, to protect against electric shock … This means you should use GFCIs in your kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, and outdoor locationsReplace or repair frayed, loose, or otherwise damaged cords on all electronicsShut off the circuit and have it checked by an electrician if any switches feel warmTake note of any discolored switch plates, because discoloration could indicate that the electrical wiring behind the switch plate is overheatingRemember: symptoms of potential wiring problems include household lights that dim or flicker, a TV picture that shrinks in size, frequent blown fuses, or circuit breakers that trip frequentlyPlace lamps on level surfaces, away from flammable items, and use light bulbs that match the lamps’ recommended wattagesExtension Cords and Surge Suppressers
Never use an extension cord as a replacement for permanent wiringAvoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpetsMake sure power strips and surge suppressors are designed to handle the loads you will be using them forConnect power strips and surge protectors directly into a wall outlet. Do not connect multiple power strips or surge protectors togetherAvoid overloading circuits by plugging too many items into the same outletAvoid the use of "cube taps" and other devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle, and try to only plug one high-wattage item into each outletHalogen Lighting
Avoid using halogen lamps whenever possible since they operate at much higher temperatures than normal light bulbsIf you use halogen lamps, make sure the lamp is placed in a location where it cannot come into contact with drapes, clothing, or other combustible materialsKeep halogen lamps and cords away from high-traffic areas and turn lamps off when leaving the room for an extended period of time Heating Safety
Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires during the winter months, and the second leading cause of home fires annually. Heating equipment includes fireplaces, wood stoves, portable space heaters, and fixed space heaters. Nearly half of all deaths attributed to home heating equipment fires involve portable space heaters.
Heating Basics
Have all heating equipment in your home inspected annually by a licensed professionalMake sure all gas-fueled and wood-burning heating devices are vented to the exterior of the buildingConsider installing a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside of each bedroom if gas-fueled or wood-burning appliances are used in your homeFireplaces and Wood-burning Stoves
Have wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and chimneys inspected and cleaned on a periodic basisUse properly seasoned wood to reduce creosote build-up in fireplaces and stovesProtect fireplaces with a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the roomAllow ashes to cool before removing them from a fireplace or stoveDispose of ashes in a metal containerSpace Heaters
Maintain a 36 inch clearance between space heaters and combustible itemsTurn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleepLaundry
Laundry equipment is often overlooked when addressing the issue of home fire safety. However, laundry appliances pose a serious fire risk because they involve electricity, and the combination of combustible clothing and extremely hot temperatures. The vast majority of laundry fires are caused by dryers that are not cleaned properly.
Dryer Safety Basics
Have dryers installed and serviced by a competent professionalHave gas-powered washers and dryers inspected periodically by a professional to ensure the gas line and its connection are intactMake sure that the dryer is plugged into an outlet that meets its electrical needs, so it doesn’t overload the outlet and trip circuit breakers or blow fusesKeep the area around the dryer clear of boxes, clothing, and other combustiblesTurn the dryer off when leaving homeLint Filters
Do not operate the dryer without a lint filterClean lint filters before or after each use, and remove any lint from around the dryer drumMake sure the dryer exhausts into the exterior or into a listed water trapInspect the area around the dryer for accumulations of lint, paying special attention to the area behind the dryer, and remove any lint you noticeInspect the flexible exhaust duct (if your dryer has one), and remove lint accumulations on a periodic basisGasoline
Each year gasoline causes several thousand household fires, many of which result in injury and even death. It is helpful to remember gasoline is a volatile liquid that is constantly releasing flammable vapors, which are heavier than air and accumulate at the lowest point in an area. If released inside a building, these vapors sink to floor level and spread out across the room, and if these vapors make contact with an ignition source a flash-fire will likely result.
Gasoline Safety Basics
Keep gasoline out of children's reach and sight, and never allow children to handle gasNever use gasoline inside the home or as a cleaning agentNever use gasoline to start a fire in barbecue pits or cooking grillsNever use gasoline as a replacement for kerosene or dieselDo not use or store gasoline near potential ignition sources, including gas-fired water heaters that contain a pilot flameFollow all manufacturers’ instructions when using electronics (including all devices with batteries or connections to electrical outlets) near gasolineClean up spills immediately and discard clean-up materials properlyIn the Event of Gasoline Fire
Leave the area immediately, and call the fire departmentDo not attempt to extinguish the fireDo not attempt to stop the flow of gasolineGasoline Storage
Store gasoline outside in a garage or shedNever store gasoline in glass, or in plastic milk jugs and other non-reusable plastic containersStore gasoline in a tightly closed metal or plastic container designed, manufactured, and approved specifically for gasoline storageStore only the amount of gasoline necessary to power equipment and machineryFueling and Handling Gasoline
Do not smoke while handling gasolineUse caution when fueling machinery and automobile equipmentNever fuel machinery or equipment indoors, and always let it cool before refuelingPlace portable gasoline containers on the ground before filling, and only fill them outdoorsNever fill portable containers inside a vehicle or in the bed of a pick-up truck, to prevent a static charge from developingDo not get in and out of automobiles while fueling … Although rare, this movement creates an electrical charge on your body that could spark a fire, especially during dry weather conditionsPropane
Over 1,000 home fires are caused by liquid propane annually, and these fires cause hundreds of injuries and deaths. Propane is a flammable gas that is converted to a liquid before being stored within a cylinder or tank. When released from its container, propane converts back to a gas and expands significantly; if this expanding gas comes in contact with an ignition source an explosion can result. When first released, the gas is cold and heavier than the surrounding air, which creates a “cloud” of heavy gas that will stay close to the ground and collect in low areas.
Propane Safety Basics
Never store or use propane gas cylinders larger than one pound inside your homeNever store or operate a propane-powered gas grill indoorsAlways handle propane-powered equipment cautiously, according to the manufacturers’ instructionsHave propane gas equipment inspected by a professional for leaks and faulty parts on a regular basisFollow the manufacturers’ instructions carefully when lighting pilotsLeave the area immediately and call the fire department from outside the home if you smell a strong odor of gas
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