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The Biggest Fire Hazards in Your Home This Winter

While Flood Department provides smoke remediation services to homeowners throughout Maryland every day of the year, winter is a particularly dangerous time for fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, $2 billion in property loss occurs every year as a result of winter house fires. Winter fires also account for a whopping 30% of all fire deaths over the course of a year, despite accounting for only 8% of all total fires. How can you protect your family this winter? Here are some fire hazards in your home.

Home Heating Fires

Over the course of 2013-2015, over 45,000 home heating fires occurred every year, which caused a yearly average of 205 deaths, 725 injuries and over $500 million in property loss. After cooking fires, home heating fires were the most common type of winter fire. Heating fires peak in January and between the hours of 5 PM-9 PM. If you are using space heaters in your home, always put them on a solid, flat, non-flammable surface. Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from anything flammable. Never use a space heater with a broken plug. You should also keep flammable items at least 3-5 feet away from your fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators or candles.

Electrical Fires

3 in 5 home electrical fires are the result of home electrical wiring or lighting equipment. They are especially common during the winter because many homeowners put up electricity-sucking lights and decorations, in addition to using space heaters. To prevent electrical fires, you should only plug one heat-producing appliance (space heater, microwave, coffee maker, etc.) into a wall outlet at a time. Never use extension cords in conjunction with heat-producing appliances, and only use extension cords on a temporary basis.

Cooking Fires

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires, and many cooking fires occur during the winter months. When you’re cooking in the winter, always stand by the pan. If you’re leaving the stove to welcome guests or check something in another room, turn the burner off. Keep pot handles turned to the back of the stove to avoid bumping into them.

Prevent Fire Hazards in Your Home

Flood Department can complete a wide range of mold removal, flood damage restoration, smoke damage remediation and crime scene clean-up services. To learn more about our services and get your water damage problem taken care of before it becomes worse, give us a call at 301-829-2600.