5 Fire Safety Tips for Your Home - BestCan Windows & Doors - Ottawa Renovations 5 Fire Safety Tips for Your Home - BestCan Windows & Doors - Ottawa Renovations
5 Fire Safety Tips for Your Home

Smoke DetectorDid you know that cooking is one of the main causes of fires in homes? During the winter, heating equipment surpasses cooking as the number one cause of house fires.

If you’re concerned about house fires or want to know what you can do to reduce the chances of a fire in your home, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll walk you through five tips that will help keep your home safe from fire.

  1. Check Your Smoke Detectors Regularly

When was the last time you checked your smoke detectors? Doing so regularly will ensure that they’re in working condition if you ever need them.

Checking your smoke detectors regularly gives you a chance to switch out the batteries. It’s recommended that you do this every six to 12 months.

Also, make sure to clean your smoke detectors at least once a year by vacuuming their outer surface to make sure they’re free from dirt and debris.

  1. Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless poisonous gas that is generated by fire or combustion. There are many sources of carbon monoxide which include gas and wood-burning fireplaces, natural gas and propane appliances, and house fires.

Purchase a good carbon monoxide detector and make sure to install one on each floor of your home. Regularly check to make sure they’re in good working condition so they’ll notify you if carbon monoxide is ever detected.

  1. Have a Working Fire Extinguisher

Another fire safety tip for your home is to have a working fire extinguisher in your home at all times. It’s also a good idea to make sure you and all of your family members know how to operate it in case there’s ever a need to use it.

Make sure that the fire extinguisher is placed in a spot where it’s easily accessible. A good place to keep it is somewhere in your kitchen since most fires originate there.

Fire extinguishers can be used on combustible materials such as wood, cloth, and paper, flammable liquids like oil and gas, and electrical fires from wiring and electrical equipment.

  1. Use Heating Devices Responsibly

Are you using a space heater to help heat your home during the winter? If so, make sure you and your family members use it responsibly.

When in use, ensure the heater is pulled away from any walls and that no loose materials are touching it like curtains or bed sheets.

Always remember to monitor these when they’re in use. If you have to go out, don’t take a chance and leave it on. Make sure it’s switched to off and unplugged whenever there is no one home to monitor it.

  1. Get Annual Inspections on Your Fireplace and Furnace

Our last fire safety tip is to have your fireplace and furnace checked yearly by a trained professional. When it comes to your fireplace, they will check for a blockage to the bricks and mortar as well as creosote build-up.

As for your furnace, they will check to make sure the burner and combustion chamber are in good condition and that the unit is properly ventilated.

We hope these fire safety tips will help keep your home safe from fires.

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