We all love a good cozy night in, leveling up in our favorite RPG or binge-watching a new sci-fi series. But nothing ruins the vibe faster than a real-life emergency. While not overly common, house fires are a serious threat. Fortunately, many of them are easily preventable with a few smart moves. To ensure you don’t have any disastrous surprises, here are some tips for protecting your home from common fire hazards.
Inspect Electrical Systems Regularly
Your electrical system is the nervous system of your home. If it’s outdated or overloaded, you’re asking for trouble. Make it a habit to check for frayed wires or outlets that feel warm to the touch. If your system is starting to age quite a bit, get it inspected by a pro. Also, avoid daisy-chaining power strips—plug heavy appliances directly into wall outlets or use high-quality surge protectors instead.
Maintain Heating Equipment
Like electrical systems, heating equipment needs regular TLC to run safely. If you have a fireplace, get that chimney cleaned annually to prevent dangerous creosote buildup. For portable space heaters, follow the three-foot rule: keep them at least three feet away from anything that can burn, like curtains, bedding, or furniture. Don’t forget to schedule regular check-ups for your HVAC system to keep it running efficiently and safely through the winter months.
Practice Safe Cooking Habits
The kitchen is where most house fires start, and many of those occur when people get distracted. That’s why you should never leave your stove unattended, even if you’re just running to the other room for a second. To protect your home from potential fire hazards, keep flammable items like dish towels, paper towels, and oven mitts well away from open flames or hot burners. Don’t forget to have a fire extinguisher nearby. It’s the one tool you hope you never have to use, but you’ll be glad it’s there if a grease fire flares up.
Store Flammable Materials Safely
You wouldn’t place an explosive barrel next to a fire in a video game, so don’t do anything like that in real life, either. Keep gasoline, paint thinners, and other flammable liquids in approved safety containers. Store them in a cool, well-ventilated area far away from heat sources, water heaters, or pilot lights. Proper storage prevents vapors from building up and igniting from a stray spark.
Install and Test Smoke Alarms
Regardless of where a fire could happen, smoke alarms will be your first line of defense. If you don’t already have them, be sure to install them in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of your house. If you do already have them, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. You still need to take care of them, so read up on basic maintenance tips for home fire alarm systems to ensure they remain fully operational. If they’re not, replace them as quickly as possible.
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