Preventing a Winter Home Fire

Home fires occur more often in winter than any other time of the year, reports the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).

But why are home fires more prevalent during the winter months? Well, for one, during the winter it seems Americans cook more. All those holiday feasts mean Americans are spending more time at the stove and more time at the stove means an increased risk of stove-related fires. In fact, cooking is the leading cause of all winter residential building fires, reports the USFA.

Another reason for the increase in home fires during the winter is heater use. Inadequately maintained, improperly used or defective furnaces can be a fire hazard. Surprisingly, winter storms are also to blame for the increase in winter residential building fires. Winter storms that interrupt electrical service cause people to look for alternative, and unsafe, heating sources.

According to the USFA, winter residential building fires are highest in the month of December and most occur in the early evening hours, peaking between five to eight p.m. An average of 945 people are tragically killed in winter residential building fires each year and the property loss associated with winter home fires are $1,708,000,000 annually.

Winter home fires can be prevented! Maintaining a fire-safe home does not require a lot of time or effort. Here are a few simple fire safety tips from the USFA:

Cooking

• Don’t wear loose clothing (especially hanging sleeves) when cooking.
• Don’t leave flammable materials (e.g. potholders, napkins) around the stove when cooking.
• Make sure your cooking equipment has been tested and approved by a recognized testing facility.
• Never use an extension cord to plug in a cooking appliance.
• Never leave the stove or oven unattended while cooking.
• Keep stovetop, burners and ovens clean.

Heating

• Carefully follow manufacturer’s installation and maintenance instructions for wood stoves.
• Only use space heaters that have been approved by a nationally recognized laboratory and make sure heaters have an automatic off switch if accidentally tipped over.
• Only use kerosene heaters in well-ventilated rooms.
• Fireplaces should be cleaned and maintained regularly, and never burn trash, paper or green wood in a fireplace.
• With any heat source, keep combustibles at least three feet away.

Candles

• Avoid using candles. If you must use candles, place them in a holder.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended and make sure to extinguish candles after each use.
• Never let a child play with candles, matches or lighters.
• Keep candles out of reach from children and pets.

My experience as a northern California personal injury attorney has shown me the importance of fire safety and how a little planning can dramatically reduce the risk of a home fire-related injury or death. If you would like to learn more about how you can prevent a devastating home fire, visit the U.S. Fire Administration website. To learn how to make a fire escape plan for your family, visit the National Fire Protection Association.