Thinking of how to keep your home warm in the winter season? Before you stoke the fire or turn on your space fires, it's important to note that these heat sources can start home fires. As you go about setting fires in your home to keep warm, ensure to observe safety measures to prevent fire outbreaks. Here are some safety measures to note:
Fireplaces
Make sure that the flue is open before starting a fire in your fireplace so that smoke can be directed out of the house while the fire is on.
Always use well-aged dry wood for starting fires in your fireplace.
Opt for smaller pieces of wood and place them in the grate so that less smoke will be produced while the fire is burning.
Protect yourself and the kids in your home from getting burnt by placing a protective hot glass in front of the fireplace.
Make sure you put out the fire in the fireplace before leaving your house or going to bed.
Install smoke detectors in our home and check them regularly to ensure they are working.
Carry out regular chimney maintenance by ensuring the chimney is always clean and free of animal nests or dirt. You can get it checked by a professional at regular intervals.
Space heaters
It's best to use electric space heaters inside your home.
Don't keep your space heaters close to wet areas or where water can easily get to.
Do not place your space heaters close to the walls or furniture.
Turn off the space heaters before going to bed or going out.
Connect your space heater directly to the power source and not to an extension.
Carry out regular checks and maintenance to ensure that the safety features on your space heater are still working.
Make sure there's a fire extinguisher available in case of an emergency.
Wood-burning stoves
Don't leave your wood-burning stove supervised; ensure that the fire is put out before you leave your home or go to bed.
Don't burn garbage like plastic bags and bottles or any other substance that is not wood in your wood-burning stove.
Carry out regular maintenance on your wood-burning stove to ensure that it is functioning properly.
Be careful when starting a fire in your wood-burning stove, and only use burning materials that are safe for indoor use.
Make sure your home is properly ventilated. Although opening windows may seem counter-productive in winter, you can make sure the air vents are open to allow the smoke out of your home.
Make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy.
As you use these safety tips to keep your home safe and warm in the winter, getting an insurance policy that protects your home if there's a fire accident is also a great idea. We can't be too careful, so it's best to prepare for future accidents. The right homeowners insurance will protect your property while giving you complete peace of mind. Contact us now to get affordable insurance quotes.