How to Prevent House Fires in the Fall

Many of us can agree that fall is a beautiful season as leaves change colors, temperatures cool down, and campfires burn in backyards. But these fun traditions also come with dangerous fire hazards, causing devastating property damage if one is not careful.

The candles, burning leaves, and bonfires can quickly cause severe fire damage if they are left unsupervised for any period of time. Here are some common tips on how to prevent house fires this fall while still enjoying this gorgeous weather before the snow arrives.

Follow these tips on how to stay safe and prevent house fires in the fall season:

• Candles. Yes they are fun, decorative, and smell amazing, but leaving them alone for any period of time can result in a horrible property fire. Never leave the room without putting out the flame first. Also keep it away from pets and small children as they will be naturally curious.
• Lights and circuits. Especially around Halloween, Americans love to be festive and cover their houses in lights, scarecrows, and animated decorations (bats, skeletons, spiders, etc.). While these are fun, be mindful of the wattage you are using and to not overload a circuit. Also keep lights away from flammable materials, such as clothing, hay from scarecrows, fake spider webs, etc.
• Burning leaves. For property owners with acres of land, raking and bagging leaves would take forever; burning them is much more efficient. But remember to keep the pile far away from the house and keep the flames under control at all times.
• Bonfires. Nothing beats getting cozy next to a warm campfire. As long as it is secured and surrounded by non-flammable objects, such as a metal enclosure or a circle of rocks, you shouldn’t have to worry about anything.

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  Fire tables. These beautiful pieces of furniture are the latest and greatest addition to everyone’s patios. But their flames can spread quickly if they make contact with any paper towels, napkins, clothing, gas, or other flammable materials; make sure to supervise them closely.

• Kitchen stove. There’s no better smell than apple and pumpkin pie in the fall time. While baking these amazing desserts is tradition for many families, it is essential to remember to turn off the stove and keep small children and pets away until you are done.
• Keep emergency contact information. Knowing who to call in the case of a fire, such as the fire department, fire damage restoration professionals, and your local hospital, will save precious time during an emergency situation.
• Be prepared. Taking proper precautions to prevent a small fire from spreading can not only save your building materials, but the lives of your loved ones. Make sure to keep a small fire extinguisher in a kitchen cabinet that is easily accessible for everyone in the house.
• Smoke alarms. If you don’t have a smoke alarm in every room, make sure to install one as soon as possible. The batteries should also be changed every 6 months.

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  Dryer vents. Maintaining a clean dryer vent will not only decrease the risk of a fire, but allow it to work more efficiently.

• Space heaters. These small heaters can add some much-needed comfort when it really starts to get cold. But remember to never leave them unattended and to keep them away from small children and pets as well as fabrics, plastic, paper, and other flammable materials.

Fire Damage Emergencies

With all of the pretty colors and fun activities during the fall season, it is easy to get distracted from what is most important. If one is not careful or aware of the fire hazards within their home during this time of year, they face one of life’s most devastating disasters.

Knowing how to prevent fire damage is essential, but being prepared for the unexpected can limit the damage while saving time and money in repair costs. Knowing who to call after 911 is crucial towards the reconstruction and restoration of your home. ServiceMaster is known as the nation’s most trusted fire damage restoration provider. With a 24/7 availability and years of experience, their technicians will arrive right away with commercial cleaning products to clean and restore your building materials. Don’t hesitate to contact your local provider after a fire emergency.