October is National Fire Safety Month

Now that it is colder and officially heating season, it also brings fire dangers.   It’s time to review fire safety tips with your family so you will be prepared in the event of a fire emergency. This is a good time to make sure that your home and belongings are insured properly before an incident. The best way to practice fire safety is to prevent one in the first place.  A tragedy such as a fire can happen at any moment. Everyone should always be aware of potential hazards in their home.  Here are some useful tips: Everyone should be aware of potential hazards in their home. Every home should have working smoke detectors. Check all electrical appliances, cords and outlets.  Make sure they are in good condition without loose or frayed cords or plugs. Do NOT run electrical cords under rugs. Do NOT let lamps or night-lights touch bedspreads, curtains or other fabrics. Do NOT leave the kitchen if the stove is in use.  If you must leave the area turn off the burners. In winter, heating overtakes cooking as the main cause of house fires. A primary danger is space heaters, especially the electric ones.  They are small and may seem harmless but placed close to furniture or curtains, they can be deadly. NEVER leave a space heater on when you are not in the room. Do not go to sleep with it on. Use it to warm the bedroom, but shut it off before you climb into bed. If you do have a fireplace, have the chimney cleaned professionally at least once a year, and make sure it’s kept clean.  If it’s an open fireplace make sure it is covered with a screen to keep the sparks from jumping out. Most importantly, plan a “Get out, Stay out” plan for if your family ever has a fire. Practice fire drills at home.  Identify a safe family meeting spot and practice it so everyone will know what to do in the event of an actual fire in the home. These drills can make the difference in the event of a real emergency. Fires are frightening and can cause panic. By rehearsing different scenarios, your family is less likely to waste precious time trying to figure out what to do. Test your plan. Have a drill in the middle of the night.

Home safety tip: Clean your dryer vents!

 

It’s very important to check your dryer vents and get them cleaned periodically.  If you are in our service area of Anchorage or the MatSu Valley we can do that for you.   Many clients schedule us to clean their dryer duct when we do their other duct cleaning or carpet cleaning.

 

562-7410 Anchorage or 373-7410 Mat Su Valley.

Home Fire Safety Tips for the Kitchen