The winter months are among the most dangerous time of year in terms of house fires. This is particularly true when the weather is lower than normal. In 2012, for instance, in the state of Queensland, there was a little bit of a house fire outbreak that was reported by authorities. This was because the temperature was lower than usual and this led people to use additional appliances to keep their homes warm. The extra appliances are typically not properly monitored as they ought to be, which can result in them not functioning and leading to a house fire. Therefore, it’s important to be extra vigilant in the winter months and not get a fire in the house in your home (and there is no reason to do that).
Here are some guidelines that are simple to follow, and can aid in keeping your family and yourself protected during the colder months:
- Make sure your smoke alarms are up-to-date
As a lawful person, you’re legally required to install functioning smoke alarms installed in your home. However, the reality is that most homeowners don’t take the time to make sure the smoke alarms function or work effectively. It might be worthwhile looking at upgrading your smoke alarms if are still using an older style of the smoke alarm. We’ve previously written about different types of smoke alarms, and you may find the article helpful. As you can see from the article, there are new kinds of smoke alarms available they are more efficient to detect fires. Therefore, as a leading company in South-East Queensland, our electricians provide services to the Gold Coast and surrounding areas. So, if you’re in the market for the latest fire alarms and you are looking for a reliable service, give our friendly team a call today!
- Be aware of space heaters
You may be tempted to utilize space heaters during the winter months, particularly at night in your bedroom, or the living room, where you’re likely to spend the majority of your time. While space heaters can be effective in warming the house, however, they have significant issues in sparking fires in the house. The report from America provides a brief explanation of the most important issues that arise with space heaters but for those who can’t understand it, let us summarise.
First of all, space heaters can get very hot (this is probably not a surprise) however the problem with this is that sometimes people place them in close proximity to objects that could ignite. For instance, some individuals set up space heaters next to their beds to keep them warm during the night This is a problem because certain fabrics that covers the bed is likely to be very flammable, so putting the heater in close proximity will only invite an explosion of fire.
Also, if you place an electric room heater inside your living space it could cause the house to catch fire due to the drapes, carpets or furniture becoming a target for the flame. Additionally, it is the reality that a large number of people prefer to utilize extension cords in order to keep space heaters running in various rooms. This is a problem because, as we’ve mentioned in our article, you can’t make use of extension cords for long-term use. They were not intended to be used in this way.
- Be aware of indoor fireplaces
If you’re one of the lucky ones to possess an indoor fireplace then you must be cautious when you use fireplaces. If the flame of the fireplace is at a manageable level and there is no problem. If the flames become too intense, embers or sparks may explode and cause a fire in the home. Naturally, not all households have fireplaces at home, so this is not a big issue but it’s still something that ought to be discussed.
- Be sure that all heating equipment is completely cleaned prior to use.
When it’s not freezing it is a good idea to keep your heating device. Many people prefer for storing their heating appliances in areas like basements, attics, etc. The issue with this is that these spaces tend to be suffocated with dirt and other particles that can make its way into the heating system. This can be dangerous as dust can cause a lot of interference with the heating equipment, causing excessive heat. If heating equipment gets too hot, it may malfunction, leading to the house catching fire. When you take out your heater to get it ready for winter be sure to provide it with a thorough cleaning both on the outside and inside. If you can you can take the unit apart to ensure that the dust has been cleared.
- Do not utilize more than one appliance at a time
If you’re making use of more heating devices than normal, then you’re likely putting a significant strain on the electrical system in your home. If you place too much strain on your electrical system in your home, is at risk of causing damage to the electrical system and appliances, but also the ones within the electrical system. It’s a frequent issue in the summer months also, since many homeowners tend to overuse fans and other appliances to reduce their temperature. Always be vigilant in your usage of electricity and to be cautious about the number of appliances you’re operating at the same time.
- Have a home escape plan
Even with all the above guidelines, it’s possible that a fire in your home could happen due to a simple case of unfortunate circumstances and you have to prepare yourself for this event. If there is a fire in your home you must have an escape plan for your home. These are basically strategies you can use to deal with an emergency that demands evacuation and the primary use of these plans is in case of the event of a fire in your home.
You can find more specific details about being prepared for emergencies on this website by the federal government in Queensland. The general rule is that your plan for home escape should contain ways to get out of every room, and the door that people should go to in case there is a fire. It might sound like a waste of time but in the case of a fire in your home it is going to be thankful you have an escape plan in place.
