Port Orange FL Homeowners Prevent Residential Fires this Holiday Season!!
December 11th, 2007 Categories: Holidays, Port Orange Real Estate
Residential fires take their toll every year in lost lives and destroyed property. Many conditions that cause fires can be avoided or prevented by homeowners. A Port Orange friend of ours lost all her furniture and her childrens toys and clothing this past week in a Port Orange residential fire. It is reality and can happen to anyone!
Here is a list of simple precautions that will help prevent fire in your Port Orange FL home especially during the holidays. These tips were provided by Ray & Wendy Evans Home Inspectors with Pillar to Post .
• Any electrical devices including lamps, appliances, and electronic equipment should be checked for frayed cords, loose or broken plugs, and exposed wiring. Never run electrical wires under carpet or rugs.
• Wood-burning fireplaces should be cleaned by a professional chimney sweep each year to prevent a dangerous buildup of creosote, which can cause a flash fire in the chimney. Cracks in masonry chimneys should be repaired, and spark arresters inspected.
• When using space heaters, keep them away from beds and bedding, curtains, papers – anything flammable. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. Space heaters shouldn’t be left unattended or where a child or pet could knock them over.
• Use smoke detectors and keep them armed with fresh batteries unless hard-wired to your home’s electrical system. Smoke detectors should be installed high on walls or on ceilings on every level of the home and inside each bedroom. Statistics show that nearly 60% of home fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
• Kitchen fires know no season. Grease spills, items left unattended on the stove or in the oven, and food left in toasters can catch fire quickly. Don’t wear loose fitting clothing, especially with long sleeves, around the stove. Handles of pots and pans should be turned away from the front of the stove to prevent accidental contact. Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher within easy reach.
• Children should not have access to or be allowed to play with matches or lighters. Flammable materials such as gasoline or kerosene should be stored outside the house.
• Have an escape plan. This is one of the most important measures you can take to prevent death in a fire. Your local fire department can provide detailed recommendations on escape planning and preparedness. In addition, all family members should know how to dial 911in case of fire or other emergency.
• Live Christmas trees should be kept in a water-filled stand and checked daily for dehydration. Needles should not easily break off a freshly-cut tree. Brown needles or a lot of fallen needles indicate a dangerously dried-out tree, which should be discarded immediately. Always use non flammable decorations in the home, and never use lights on a dried-out tree!
• Candles should be placed in stable holders and placed away from curtains, drafts, pets, and children. Never leave candles unattended, even for a short time.
• Christmas or other holiday lights should be checked for fraying or broken wires and plugs. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when joining two or more strands together, as a fire hazard could result from overload. Enjoy your indoor holiday lighting only while someone is home!
Team Gagliardi wishes you and your family a happy and safe holiday season.
Good list from our Port Orange real estate experts. Thanks Janis
This post just goes to show that real estate agents are so much more than just people who help clients buy and sell real estate. Our commitments to our clients should go above and beyond the standard real estate transaction. It’s good to have a Port Orange real estate expert who cares about the safety of their community. Good post Janis. – Thanks – Karl