Although the hot summer season is often known for fire outbreaks, winter also comes with the risk of fire outbreaks for homes and businesses.
The number of fire incidents reported in winter is always problematic, and most resulting in massive property damages and even death. With winter fast approaching, learning about the common seasonal hazards and restoration tips will help keep yourself and your property safe.
.png)
The team at SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield has outlined five common causes of fire outbreaks in winter and what you can do about them.
1. Indoor cooking
Cooking is a major cause of house fires and injuries throughout the year. People cook inside more often in winter than any other season, and incidents like leaving the food unattended for long, placing combustible items close to the stove, and malfunctioning appliances can cause a fire outbreak.
Prevention is essential to secure your property. Firstly, never leave the kitchen for too long when cooking. Also, keep combustible items such as paper goods, potholders, towels, and other household items away from the stove.
2. Heaters
The cold winter weather forces most people to use mobile heaters in spaces that may not be well-insulated and/or chilly. However, when these heaters are placed too close to combustible items, it could cause a fire outbreak.
You should always be aware of the items around when placing a heater. Always leave ample space between the appliance and any combustible item.
3. Christmas trees
While having lots of Christmas lights can make your home more festive, it’s essential to ensure they are installed correctly. The electrical elements in Christmas lights (whether fake or real) can cause fire outbreaks that can damage your property and put you at risk.
Real Christmas trees also become combustible when their needles become dry. So, ensure to water your tree daily to prevent the needles from drying, and take them out once dried.
Also, keep the Christmas tree from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, and heat vents.
4. Candles
Many people frequently use scented candles to liven up the atmosphere in their homes when the perfume of fresh air is absent. Between 2012 and 2016, there were reportedly 8,200 candle fires, with December being the most common month for them to happen.
Eleven percent (11%) of the candle fires in homes were caused by people falling asleep. Similarly, combustible material was either left around or too close to the candle in three of every five candle fires in homes. Candles should be kept at least three feet away from anything that could catch fire, such as your Christmas tree and/or decorations, curtains, blankets, etc.
5. Smoking
Smoking is amongst the top five causes of fire outbreaks in the United States, with fire outbreaks from smoking killing about 500 people annually.
The winter cold makes smoking more appealing and more so indoor smoking. But, smoking inside the house is never a good idea as the cigarette, lighter, and matches can all cause fire outbreaks that will damage your home.
Always smoke outside, far from any combustible item, and properly put off the cigarette once done.
What should you do?
While the aforementioned tips will help you prevent winter fires, fire incidents can still happen, and it’s essential to act fast if it does. Once the fire is put off, call in a fire damage restoration service to help restore your property to a habitable state.
Get professional fire damage restoration in Montwood, El Paso, TX.
SERVPRO® of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield is the company you can trust when it comes to fire damage restoration in Montwood, El Paso, TX. They have a track record of helping homeowners and businesses quickly restore their space and move on with their lives.
.png)
Their team of IICRC-certified fire specialists is available around the clock to provide the help you need. They’ll clear out any smoke, soot, and water damage and clean your property to eliminate signs of fire.
Call SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield at (915) 234-2679 to learn how they can help you to handle seasonal hazards and restoration.
