Fire Hazard Safety Tips

Fires in the home are a major problem. They can occur suddenly without warning, and can often completely destroy a house in a very short period of time. Understanding fire hazards and how to avoid them can help prevent damaging house fires.

Electrical Safety Tips

• One of the more common ways for fires to start in the home is because of problems with your electrical wiring. This is especially true in older homes that were wired before strict inspections and building codes were implemented. It's also true of homes that feature a lot of do-it-yourself electrical work.
  You should inspect your house once a year for problems with your electric system. Problems that can cause fires include improper use of appliances and extension cords, improperly installed lighting, faulty wiring, and poorly made connections.
  These problems can be hard for a layman to inspect, so you may want an electrician to do those inspections.
  However, you can also check for damaged or frayed electric cords, frequently blowing fuses or circuit breakers, or flickering lights. Never remove the third, or grounding, prong from the electrical cords of devices. It prevents shocks, and taking it away can cause problems with your device.

Lighted Candles and Smoking

• Candles are not used as often as they were in the past. Nowadays, they are mostly used for light and heat when the power goes out, or for personal enjoyment. However, lighted candles are definitely a fire hazard. The National Candle Association states that "...accidental candle fires account for approximately four percent of all U.S. residential fires" and that "85 percent of candle fires could be avoided." These fires happen when candles are unattended and either tip over or have their flame touch flammable areas. Never leave your candles unattended and never use too many candles at once. Blow them out when you are done with them and don't let them burn out.

  Another thing that causes many fires is smoking cigarettes. The Henson Home reports that "...cigarette-caused fires killed over 2,300 men, women and children in the United States each year," that "...one study of 530 fire fatalities in Maryland during a six-year period between 1971 and 1977 found that 45 percent of fatalities occurred in fires that were caused by cigarettes" and that "... "6,000 injuries a year" were caused by cigarette smoking. The number one reason cigarettes cause fires is when somebody is smoking in bed or falls asleep while smoking. If you smoke, please don't smoke in bed or late at night when you are alone. Cigarettes can also cause fires if their ashes are not properly disposed. Like any ashes, cigarette ashes can smolder long after they seem out, and can ignite quickly. Make sure your ashes are out before you throw them away.

Cooking

• Cooking is another major fire hazard in the home. The heat from ovens can cause fires, as can the flames of a gas stove. Dirty stoves are the major fire hazards amongst stoves. Stoves with burnt food lying on the bottom and stove tops with burnt food lying around the burners can cause a fire by igniting the debris. Keep these areas clean at all times. Don't cook with long sleeved shirts on as these can catch on fire. Any flammable object should be kept far away from the stove. Microwaves need room for their fans to vent the heat, so make sure these vents are not obstructed and if there is a fire in your microwave unplug it and keep the door closed. If you have a grease fire, don't use water. This will splatter the grease and only make it worse. Slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner.