Feb 8 | Posted by Barry

As rare as these are nowadays, even in fully modernized houses, the unthinkable can still happen. That's why it's important you still take all the necessary precautions to avoid any hazardous accidents. A lot of these suggestions are simple, but let's review them nonetheless, especially given that its winter and all your furnaces, fireplaces and supplemental heaters are operating full bore.

One of the most common types of unintentional fires is caused by a simple candle. These are very preventable if you use sturdy, metal or glass candleholders. Never leave a lit candle unattended while it’s over other flammable objects like paper, magazines, tablecloths and carpeting. Make sure to buy quality candles that aren’t too thin or flimsy either. Lastly, consider placing candles inside a glass, so if they do happen to topple over, they’ll be contained by the jar.

Another typical fire is that originating from worn-out or overloaded electricity outlets. An electrical system short is much more common in an older house (or one that has been renovated), but that doesn’t rule it out completely for newer dwellings. Starting with thorough home inspection and follow-up check at least once a year, you should inspect all your appliances’ cords and power outlets, looking for any cracked or frayed plugs. If anything isn’t a snug fit or if there’s a slight burning tinge, then consider having the cords replaced. Never overload an outlet with too many extension cords and consult an electrician before tampering with your circuit breaker panel.

A third area to take special precautions is the kitchen. It sounds obvious, but stay in the kitchen while cooking. Keeping a clean workspace is very important, as it will give you the room you need to prepare cuisine while keeping flammable materials like papers, dishtowels or bags away from such machines as stovetops (gas or electric), ovens or toasters. An often overlooked kitchen essential is a handy fire extinguisher. Look for one that is rated A, B, C and locate it close to your stove top and oven.

Outdoor grills and barbecues can be especially cantankerous if positioned near dry scrubs or in windy areas. It’s critical here that you maintain your barbecuing unit by cleaning it, shielding it from weathering and making sure the gas line or propane tank is fully connected. As well, never bring these outdoor-designed appliances indoors.

Outside of the kitchen, attentiveness towards fire prevention is principally vital when it comes to space heaters, fireplaces and furnaces. Space heaters should always be kept in open areas with all flammable materials moved out from within a three-foot radius. Be sure to keep a protective screen in front of your fireplace and take the same radial precautions as with space heaters. Have your fireplaces, chimneys and furnaces inspected regularly so that any malfunctions can be promptly taken care of. If you use your fireplace often, have it cleaned each year to eliminate creosote build up. Much like when cooking, be sure to turn your space heater off or put out the fireplace before leaving the house.

Next, you must take heed with certain chemicals, gasoline in particular. Volatile fluids like gasoline can fill a garage full of vapors and should not be stored inside the house. Also note any specific chemicals with cautionary labels. It’s preferable to store all these in containers in an outdoor shed away from your home.

Moving on from preventions to more general safety precautions, smoke alarms as you well know are a necessity on every floor and above every bedroom in your house. What you’re looking for here is a mixture of ionization and photoelectric sensors to give you optimal detection. As well, go for battery-powered alarms as they won’t be rendered useless during a power outage. Just be sure to test them regularly. Replacing batteries each New Year makes good common sense.

Although in this day and age this might not seem like a very crucial topic, it’s nonetheless better to be safe than sorry. Fire prevention is a definite consideration when purchasing or moving into a new home, and I’m always on hand to offer some more advice specific to your own dwelling.