Winterizing a home is an important step in the fall. Clearing water from sprinkler systems, getting the furnace fixed, repairing damaged windows, and other things like this help to keep a home running through the winter months. But many people don't realize that homes are at a greater risk of fire in the winter months. Fall fire safety tips can help home owners prepare their home and protect their families.
Fall fire safety tips are usually based around common sense. One tip is to change the battery in smoke detectors when they change their clocks during Daylight Savings. Changing the batteries every six months prevents detectors from going dead. Another fall fire safety tip is to clean the chimney. Creosote is a deposit from smoke that can build up in a chimney. If it gets too thick, it can start on fire and destroy the house. Fall fire safety tips recommend cleaning the chimney each year before using the fireplace. Space heaters can also be a fire hazard, and fall fire safety tips recommend creating a safe area around the heater. Any furniture should be at least three feet away.
Another fall fire safety tip involves creating a defensible space around the house, to protect from nearby fires. Trees should be a minimum of thirty feet away from the house and branches and leaves should be cleaned up to limit fuel for a fire. Fall fire safety tips even help home owners prepare for holidays. Home owners are encouraged to use battery powered lights in Halloween Jack o'Lanterns to prevent accidents. Christmas tree lights should also be inspected before use and monitored carefully, especially on real trees.
Source:safetyed.org
