There are five potential fire risks in your home. So before you haul out the space heaters and candles for decorating, read on … we’re featuring two potential fire risks in this post. We’ll post the others in upcoming days.
Cooking equipment
The kitchen may be the heart of your home, but cooking equipment is the leading cause of all home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Cooking using the stovetop, microwave or conventional oven can easily spark fires. Heat sources can catch flammable materials like oven mitts and hand towels on fire, while cooking protein-rich foods without caution can result in grease fires, fire and smoke damage and lingering, unpleasant odors and potentially toxic residue. Outdoor cooking equipment like deep fryers also pose significant risks.
Kitchen fire safety tips
Always stay in the kitchen while food is cooking.
Keep an appropriately-rated fire extinguisher within easy reach in the kitchen. Class B extinguishers are suitable to combat grease and oil fires.
Keep flammable fabrics and other items away from all cooking appliance heat sources.
Dryers
Dryers were responsible for over 90 percent of all the residential fires involving washers and dryers between 2010 and 2014. The leading cause of home fires involving dryers is improper cleaning, but you can easily reduce your risk with routine maintenance.
Dryer fire hazards
Debris that builds up in the lint trap can catch fire when exposed to the appliance’s heat settings.
Clean out your lint trap or lint screen after every use. It takes only a couple of seconds and can help stop a potential fire before it ever becomes a significant risk factor.
Get your dryer professionally inspected on a yearly basis. An expert will be able to access and check the vents and interior machinery for additional lint buildup and fire risks.
In our next blog post …
We’ll cover potential fire risks with space heaters and fireplaces, and electronics and outlets.
