Author: Jay Howard

Since 1922, October has been the Fire Safety and Prevention Month throughout the United States. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has been educating the public about fire safety for decades, making a special push during the first full week of October. Fire Prevention Week is one of the longest-running public health observances ever since the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), cooking and heating are the leading causes of house fires and burn injuries. These incidents peak during the colder months, especially during the winter. Fire injuries surpassed 16,000, and fire deaths took over 3,700 lives in 2019. With the colder months quickly approaching, the Georgia Commissioner of Insurance and Fire Safety and the NFPA have some tips on how to keep safe in the face of the looming chilly season.

8 Fire Safety Tips for inside and outside of the Home

There are certain safety tips that you should know in order to prevent a fire in the colder months. The following are eight fire safety tips for inside and outside of the home:

• Check and double-check that space heaters are turned off when not in use or if you are leaving a room.
• Have your fire extinguisher inspected. The best fire extinguishers are the ones that never have to be used, and the second-best extinguishers are the ones that are updated or refilled by a licensed fire professional. Make sure yours is ready for use.
• If your home has a stove heater and chimney, have the chimney cleaned before each cold season.
• Keep children and pets, if you have any, away from space heaters.
• Make sure any kerosene heaters are cooled down completely before refilling them. Wipe any and every spill that occurs during refueling.
• Double-check your fueled heater vents. Otherwise there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Move anything flammable about three, or more, feet away from any kind of heater.
• When purchasing any new heating equipment, make sure it has been tested by an independent testing lab, like Underwriter’s Laboratories, TUV Rheinland, TUV SUD, or Bureau Veritas.

If you follow the above tips, you can reduce your chances of having a house fire. You want to stay warm, but also safe, this winter.

Additional Fire Safety Tips

Buy a kitchen timer if you do not have one. Always set the timer when cooking so that no one forgets to turn off any burners. All burners (gas, electric, and induction cooktops) can potentially cause a fire if left unattended.

Never pour water on a grease fire. Water and oil do not get along. When water makes contact with superheated oil, the water causes the oil to fly off. If that superheated oil hits something flammable, that surface will ignite on contact.

The Insurance Commissioner also advises that if something you are cooking catches fire, you should turn off the burner and cover your pans with lids immediately. If it is not safe to do so, grab a kitchen extinguisher and call 911 as soon as possible.

Contact the Personal Injury Attorney at Tabbaa Law Today

Fires in the home can inflict emotional, financial, and physical damage. If you have been harmed because of a fire, Attorney Sami Tabbaa is ready to help you. Attorney Tabbaa may be able to help you recover compensation from your home’s insurance company. If you live in an apartment, and your landlord has been negligent, you may be entitled to financial compensation. No matter what the case is, Tabbaa Law will provide the skill, experience, and knowledge to help you. To schedule a free case review, call (770) 370-7881 or complete our contact form.