During the winter months, heat is required to keep homes at a comfortable temperature. However, there are risks to heating a home. For this reason, fires in homes occur more in winter than any other season. To protect against smoke and fire damage in Springfield Missouri during the winter, use the following safety tips.
Wood-Burning Appliances
The chimney should be inspected and cleaned annually, before using it for the first time. Any flammable objects should be at least three feet away from a wood-burning appliance. Keep a glass or metal screen in place to ensure embers or sparks can’t fly out of the stove or fireplace and catch on fire. Always make sure the fire is always out before going to sleep and make sure the ashes are cool before closing the damper. If not, the fire will heat up again and can push carbon monoxide into the home, which could be deadly.
When starting the fire, do not use flammable liquids. Do not use a lot of paper to overbuild the fire in a fireplace as they can ignite creosote and start a chimney fire. After the fire is out, use a tightly covered metal container to get rid of the cooled ashes. This should be stored outside and away from the home. Always make sure the wood-burning appliance is properly maintained and used according to manufacturer suggestions to minimize the risk of a fire.
Gas Furnaces
A gas furnace should be inspected yearly to ensure it works properly. The walls and ceiling near the furnace should be inspected as well as the chimney line. Additional pipe insulation is needed if the wall is hot or discolored. The flue pipe and seams should be supported properly and should be free from holes or cracks. If any are discovered, this needs to be replaced. Always remember to keep anything flammable or combustible far from the heating system and get more information on how to properly maintain the furnace from the manufacturer.
Basic Fire Safety Tips for the Winter
If using a portable generator, keep it outside, away from windows, and as far as possible from the home. Ovens or stoves should never be used for heating as they can be a source of carbon monoxide. When using electric heaters, only one should be plugged into an outlet at a time to avoid issues with the circuits. If an extension cord is needed, the appropriate size should be used to prevent issues. Electric heaters should never be used in the bathroom, kitchen, or other areas with water.
Make sure to have a fire escape plan and practice it with your family. There should be two exits for each room and escape ladders in appropriate places. Everyone should know about the fire plan and be able to act fast to get out of the home and meet in a common location. If a fire does start, this will help keep everyone safe. If there ever is smoke and fire damage in your home, call the professionals at PuroClean Certified Restoration in Springfield, Missouri to do the fire remediation job right.