Winter Fire Safety Alert - Is Your Home at Risk?

Winter is often the time for families to enjoy being together as they sit around the fire in the living room and sip on hot cocoa as they play games. Winter is also the time when families use space heaters in order to warm up that room above the garage that never seems to hold heat. Also, winter is the perfect time for mom to cook extra hot meals in order to keep the family warm as they come inside from playing in the snow. As nice it is to build a fire in the fireplace, save a little extra money by using a space heater, and cooking hot meals for dinner, it is important to stay on your guard and remember to be careful and consider the fire hazards within your own home during the wintertime.

Once Jack Frost has made his presence known, it is time to take a look around you home and scrutinize it for possible fire hazards. Here are a few suggestions of things to look for:

If you use space heaters, be sure to keep objects away from the front of the heater. Objects to be particularly aware of could include: newspapers, magazines, books, fabrics, clothes, shopping bags, rugs, toys or trash cans

Also when using a space heater, remember to always turn it off (or better yet, unplug it) whenever you leave the room. It is simply a bad idea to leave a space heater on unattended

Be sure to inspect your fireplace and (especially) your chimney before you have a fire. A buildup of creosote can cause a fire, not to mention any cracks or holes in the lining can cause a fire on your roof or in your attic

When having a fire in your fireplace, always remember to keep the immediate area clear of such items as: wood, newspaper, magazines, books, bags, rugs, and toys. Also remember to close the protective mesh or place a mesh barrier in front of the fireplace in order to avoid flyaway sparks

When lighting candles in the winter to add that warm and cozy atmosphere, always remember to keep them out of reach of children, and away from curtains. Putting candles in votives can also add an extra measure of security when you light your favorite candle

In addition to practicing basic fire safety and prevention that is specific to the wintertime, it is always important to not forget other hazards such as old or frayed electrical cords, overloaded electrical circuits, cooking and baking carelessly, and dying (or dead) batteries in your smoke alarms.

As winter runs its full course, remember to always be alert and be aware of what is going on in your home. Properly maintain your fireplace and chimney, keep your stovetop and oven clean, and properly maintain your smoke detectors year-round. Besides making basic fire prevention practices a habit in your life, it is always important to remain alert and always be aware of what is going on in your home. Remember, it keeps you and your family safe!

This article was written by shelly s. who writes for another perfect gift an online gift registry where you can find household gifts including: housewarming gifts.