20 Easy Ways to Reduce Fire Hazards

Along with cooler autumn weather comes nights cuddled by a warming fire and more family gatherings in the kitchen. But with more time spent indoors, the number of home fires begins to increase.

Fortunately, with a little planning and forethought, you can protect your home and loved ones by following these twenty easy ways to reduce fire hazards:

1. Only use child-resistant lighters
2. Blow out candles before leaving a room.
3. Check electrical cords for fraying or chewing.
4. Keep BBQ grills at least 10 feet from the house.
5. Safely store any fertilizers, paint, and chemicals.
6. Never leave pots or pans unattended on the stove.
7. Use a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace.
8. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
9. Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup.
10. Turn off and unplug hair curlers and straighteners after each use.
11. Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from any flammable items.
12. Do not throw out cigarette butts out without soaking them in water.
13. Keep a fire extinguisher within reach of any source of heat or flame.
14. Clean your dryer vents regularly and the lint trap/filter after each use.
15. Allow clothing irons to cool away from flammable items before storing.
16. Test your smoke detectors every month and change their batteries annually.
17. Have your chimney and heating system checked annually by a professional.
18. Check cooking appliance are turn off before heading to bed or leaving home.
19. Keep towels, potholders, and other flammable items away from cooking surfaces.
20. Do not overload electrical circuits, extension cords, power strips, or surge protectors.

Suffering a home fire can be one of the most dramatic experiences in one’s life. Luckily, most home fires are preventable. Take a moment today to reduce the fire hazards in your home and look forward to a safe winter season!