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2017-01-25
By: Denise Koslowsky
Cold weather increases the likelihood of home fires. When it is cold outside people tend to spend more time inside and that means the instance of home fires increases. There are more than 360,000 home structure fires each year which equates to between $6 – 8 billion dollars in damage.
What can you do to protect your home?
Honestly, a majority of home structure fires are preventable when the homeowner does what they can to minimize the risks. Below are the most common causes for house fires according to the National Fire Protection Association and tips on how to prevent a fire:
• On average, there are 29 candle fires every day. Be sure to keep burning candles away from things that are flammable, never leave a candle unattended and be sure all of your candles fit securely into their candle holder.
• Although the number of smokers has decreased in recent years, smoking still accounts for around $500 million of property damage each year. Whenever possible, smoke outside and never smoke in bed.
• Electrical fires are another common cause for house fires. Be sure you don’t overload outlets and for added peace of mind, bring in an electrician to check your home’s wiring for any potential danger.
• A common source of home fires is your washer and dryer, particularly the dryer. Be sure to clean the lint screen every time you dry a load of laundry.
• Your kids can also increase your risks for a home fire. Kids love to play with fire so it is important that matches and lighters are kept out of reach and that fire safety is stressed at an early age.
• Would you be surprised to know that the number one source for a home fire is cooking? When you are in the kitchen, be alert and focus on cooking. Don’t leave the stove or oven unattended and be sure to have a fire extinguisher on hand.
The most important protection is to have a Central Station Fire & Burglar Alarm with a carbon monoxide detector installed in your home.
Family safety is our number one priority at Advocate Brokerage. Having a central station fire alarm installed in your home can be the difference in saving your family’s life. Without one, you are at the mercy of a battery operated smoke detector and counting on a neighbor to both see the fire and report it. Insurance companies provide a significant discount for the proper installation of a central station fire and burglar alarm system. If you have questions or need help with fire safety resources, please get in touch with us.
