As we approach the last weeks of the year, it is essential to protect your home from the festivities and weather that occur. As you celebrate with your friends and family, plan dinners and gatherings to make sure you prioritize your home’s safety. If you are overwhelmed with all the activities that occur, our team at Classic Construction & Restoration has curated a list of ways you can protect your home during the festive season. Please note that if your home experiences any.
1. Install and Test Smoke Alarms
Installing and testing your smoke alarms are vital any time of the year but necessary during the festive season. According to the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA), you should install a smoke alarm in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. If you have more than one level, there should be a smoke alarm on each level. After installing your alarm, you should test it to ensure that it is working correctly. It is suggested that you test your alarm once a month and change out the batteries at least twice a year. If you need help with installing or testing your alarm, feel free to contact our team at Classic.
2. Have Fire Extinguishers
Choosing a fire extinguisher and comparing each model to see which is the best can be daunting but can save you and your home from damages or losses. We recommend that the fire extinguisher in your home is an ABC fire extinguisher model and that one be placed on every level of your home and a bonus extinguisher in your garage. The reason behind the UL lettering on the extinguisher is that each flame has a designated letter, and your extinguisher should be rated according to the fire it that is effective against.
3. Ensure your Space Heater is Safe
As the weather drops, we understand there is a need for space heaters, but one of the biggest mistakes is keeping it on all day long. According to NFPA heating equipment is a leading cause of fire in U.S homes. When you are not in the same room or leave the house, make sure to turn the space heater off. Another commonly overlooked item is keeping the space heater at least 3 feet away from curtains or bedroom furniture or bedding, or other combustible materials.
4. Unplug Electric Blankets
Electric blankets are also a form of heating equipment that people tend to forget to turn off. According to healthine, most electric blankets that are ten years old or older run a higher risk of starting a fire. If you are using an electric blanket, make sure that the blanket is approved by Underwriter Laboratories (UL). If you are finished using your electric blanket, make sure that you store it properly, and as a safety precaution, do not sit or lie on top of it.
5. Avoid overloading your sockets
Overloading sockets is something that can easily happen if you are using a single socket and extensions. While extension cords are great to have on hand, you can easily overload it and cause a fire due to overheating. One thing that you can do to prevent this is to limit the number of connected appliances to each socket. A rule of thumb that the National Ag Safety Database has is limiting each outlet to two appliances.
6. Get your chimney/fireplace inspected
As we mentioned in our previous blog, Winter Checklist for Your Home, it is important to get your chimney/fireplace inspected before turning it on. A clogged chimney can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which is responsible for around 10,000 cases of carbon monoxide-related “injuries” each reported each year.
7. Be cautious of your candles
Candles are used avidly during this season, and while they provide a sense of comfort and smell, they are often forgotten. If you fail to turn off your candle before bed or leaving the house, it can cost you your home. According to NFPA, candle-caused fires can cause an average of up to $278 million in home damages a year.
8. Avoid distractions while the stove is on
Preparing dinner for a gathering with friends and family can be a series of ups and downs, but one thing to never forget is to keep collected and be aware of your stove when it is on. If things get out of hand with a kitchen fire, make sure to get out of the kitchen!
9. Save Classic Construction’s contact information
While you should ALWAYS call 911 if you have a fire emergency, another reliable number to have after the damage has occurred to your house is Classic Construction. We are available 24/7 for emergency services and are ready to help you. You can contact us over the phone (insert emergency number here) or through our website. We are here to help you and when you choose us, know our team is On Time. On Budget. That’s Classic.