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A Few Simple Steps to Help You Prevent Home Fires | SERVPRO® of East Lansing/Haslett
7/7/2022 (Permalink)
If your home is damaged in a house fire, SERVPRO of East Lansing/Haslett is here to help. Contact us for any fire restoration needs.
As the temperatures continue to rise across the nation, so does our collective risk of fires. In fact, so far this year the American Red Cross has responded to over 20,000 house fires, and they can’t be everywhere at once, so this number is only a fraction of the total fires in the United States so far in 2022.
As they have since their inception, smoke detectors continue to be the most effective way to detect fires and prevent the damage or loss of life that they can cause. While everyone should have complete smoke alarm coverage, there are many other ways you can protect yourself and your home, many being simple cleaning tasks.
When it comes to your house, there are certain areas that stay hotter than others because of the appliances or features of the home in that area. In Michigan, we use appliances to heat our home and water more than most, so our appliances have a higher chance of starting fires purely because they’re turned on more often.
Some of these zones include air vents, the fireplace and chimney, and especially the kitchen. It’s important that you keep these areas clear of any blockages or excessive dust to reduce the risk of a fire.
The water heater is another high-risk area in your home. The outside boiler of the device gets so hot that it can ignite clothing, cardboard and paper with relative ease. Keeping this area clear and open allows proper airflow, and keeps flammable objects away from high levels of heat.
Dusty outlets and appliances are two more common sources of fire in the home. These spots get packed with dust that needs only a small spark to become a massive problem.
Properly cleaning behind, under and inside of your appliances and vents can significantly reduce the risk of a spontaneous fire. You should also ensure that all of your devices have plenty of space to circulate air and heat as they’re designed to do.
When fires are roaring outside, your yard is the last place they hit before knocking at your door. Recently, innovative landscaping techniques have become increasingly popular, as they are designed to protect your home and give ample room for firemen to stop the flames.
Fires have become such a major problem in our country, that states like California have begun to impose defensible zone requirements for the area surrounding a home. These requirements make homeowners clear excessive shrubbery and other fire risks to help stop them from igniting the building.
These strategies have been proven to be effective in slowing wildfires, but taking a note from them and doing the same to your property is a smart idea.
Utilizing these techniques will not prevent you from planting your gorgeous flower beds and tending to your garden—it focuses on you placing the plants in strategic positions. These recommended spots are designed to spread things out enough to reduce the possibility of the flames spreading.
Maintaining your yard is also an important part of homeownership. Clearing out and removing dead plants, leaves and limbs will take fuel away from the fire and could reduce the severity if it were to happen.
Along with maintaining your hot zones and cleaning up in your yard, a thorough spring-cleaning can help reduce your risk of a fire. It’s best to schedule a time with your family in the spring or summer to work together and knock it out.
These tasks often seem to pile up and weigh you down, but giving yourself plenty of time and setting goals can help you get through them. However, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to reduce fire hazards in the home—simple tasks like dusting help with fire prevention.
If you have experienced fire damage or want to learn more about our fire damage restoration services, contact us today. We’re here to act fast, 24/7.