6 Common House Fire Hazards: Fall Maintenance & Safety Checklist

While house fires can strike at any time of year, the cold-weather months are particularly hazardous, since there are more common sources of fires in use during the fall and winter.

Home safety experts recommend performing a fire safety inspection in late summer or early fall, before the cool weather arrives.

6 Common House Fire Hazards: Fall Maintenance & Safety Checklist

Pay particular attention to these six common house fire hazards:

Candles

They cast beautiful ambient light, but candles can be deadly if you’re not careful about how and when you use them. Follow these important safety tips:

• Keep candles at least 18 inches away from any material that might catch fire (like clothing or curtains)
• Purchase sturdy, well-made candleholders
• Avoid burning candles down too far; leave at least 1 inch of intact wax
• Do not use candles in your bedroom
• Do not leave candles burning when you are asleep

Cooking equipment

Stoves and ovens are among the top causes of fire- and burn-related injuries. Pay close attention when you’re cooking, and do not leave cooking food unattended. It’s also not a good idea to cook under the influence of alcohol.

Fire safety experts recommend avoiding loose-fitting clothing and long sleeves while cooking, especially if you have gas cooktops. Finally, avoid placing foil or metallic items in your microwave oven, and be sure to keep flammable kitchen items like oven mitts well away from heat sources.

Electrical equipment

Loose, frayed electrical cords, insecure electrical connections, damaged sockets, and old wiring can all lead to electrical fires. Inspect all electrical cords to make sure they’re still in good shape, replace aging electrical appliances, and have an electrician perform periodic safety inspections.

Dryers

Make sure your dryer’s lint trap is cleaned out before every load of laundry, and never use a dryer in the absence of a lint trap. Also, fall is a great time to double-check and make sure your dryer’s outdoor vent is operating properly, and that there are no clogs in its vent pipe.

Heating equipment

Portable space heaters are particularly dangerous, as statistics show they account for about 80% of all fire deaths caused by home heating equipment.

Remember:

• Keep all combustible materials at least three feet away from your space heater
• Turn off your space heater if you’re leaving the room
• Do not run your space heater when you’re asleep
• Never use your oven to warm up your home

Furnaces can also be fire hazards, so schedule a fall inspection and tune-up with a trustworthy local professional. If you have a fireplace, be sure to fully extinguish fires before leaving the room, keep flammable items a safe distance away, and safely dispose of all ashes and embers on a regular basis.

Smoking

Cigarettes can be a deadly habit, and not only because of their health risks. Cigarettes, cigars, and pipes are the number one cause of fire fatalities in the United States. If you must smoke, it’s better to do so outside. Use generously sized ashtrays, and use water or sand to make sure your butts are fully extinguished when you’re finished.

Beyond addressing these fire hazards, you should also take some time to make sure your fire equipment is functioning properly. Test your smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers to make sure they’re all operational in case of an emergency.

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