7 Tips to Prevent House Fires

In Northern Michigan, fire season kicks up as the temperatures drop. Bay Area Clean Care worked with Al Welsheimer, the fire chief at Resort Bear Creek Fire Department, for Fire Prevention Month so we can have up-to-date house fire prevention tips!

REMEMBER: The first thing you do, no matter how big or small a fire, is get out of the house. Once you and your family are safely out of the house, call emergency services. Then, when the fire has been safely put out, call Bay Area Clean Care so we can get your home back to normal or better as quickly as possible.

1. Regularly Clean Your Wood-Burning Stove and Fireplace

Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces should be cleaned annually, at a minimum, for homes with minimal use. Clean high-use stoves monthly throughout the winter to reduce possibilities of house fires. Also, remember to remove ash buildup every couple of uses so fires can be safely contained inside the unit.

2. Ensure Electrical Cords are Uncovered

Though covering electrical cords with rugs or carpet can help reduce trip hazards in a home, they increase the risk of electrical fires. Electrical cords release heat, and when covered, can get hot enough to cause sparks, smoke, or other damage. Better protect your home by purchasing quality electrical cords and surge protectors, and giving them room to breathe properly.

3. Leave Space Around Space Heaters

Space heaters are a great way to warm a room, but produce enough heat to cause a fire if they are not in a clutter-free environment. When setting up a space heater, ensure that there is ample room (5′ – 8′) for the heat to disperse before it can hit fabric, furniture, or other flammable items. Also, remember to clean the air intake in your space heaters regularly to prevent fires from dust catching fire and sending sparks into your room.

4. Be Fire-Conscious in Your Kitchen

With as much as we cook, it becomes second nature to move around the kitchen without thinking. Be mindful of where you are setting potholders and plastic, remove flammable items from around the stove and air fryers, and keep an eye on potential grease fire hazards.

Bonus Fact: Soot is a carcinogen and needs to be cleaned immediately after a fire has been put out. Fabric, walls, and porous surfaces are extremely susceptible to holding onto particles after a fire. Call Bay Area Clean Care regardless of how big a fire is for a free estimate! 

5. Remember to Turn Off Burners and Turn On Timers

Even if you feel like you won’t forget, set a timer when you have food on the stove or in the oven. Distractions can happen at any time. Pick a timer you will hear so that you don’t burn your food and your kitchen. When you are done in the kitchen make sure to double check that all burners, appliances, and stove elements are completely turned off.

6. Wear Proper Clothing when Cooking and Working Around Fireplaces

Baggy clothing, robes, and coats are part of our normal attire in the winter, but are extremely flammable. Before working in the kitchen or restocking your fire, remove articles of clothing and tie up long hair that could get in the way of being able to work safely.

7. Remove Clutter

Fires move quicker when they have more to eat. In order to slow, and prevent, the development of fires inside your home, make a habit of removing clutter. Not only can clutter be a trip hazard in an emergency, it can exponentially increase the damage from fires and make them more difficult to stop. Less is more!

We hope you feel more educated on fire prevention, and how to keep your family and home safe this winter. We wish you all a safe and uneventful fire season, with no calls to the fire department!

Be prepared for anything! Set up your free, Emergency Account with Bay Area Clean Care.