Every winter, many people are injured and killed in fires caused by unsafe behavior around the fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 15,000 home fires due to improper fireplace use in a single year.
Some winter fire safety tips are pretty common that everybody follow to ensure their home is safe from potential fires. To start with, we avoid using cooking equipment when warming up food or beverages, which can cause hazards in the kitchen, such as spills or unattended pots on the stove.
We Keep fireplace ashes in an outside container to avoid them accumulating inside the home and causing escape routes to become blocked.
Here in this article, we want you to know about some of the most common causes of house fires in winter and how to stay safe this winter. So, read on to learn about some of the most important winter fire safety tricks.
Common Causes of Winter Fire
Every winter season brings with it a heightened sense of fire hazard. Spikes in natural gas usage and heating systems being turned on can lead to an increase in the number of house fires caused by a faulty furnace.
A space heater set too close to flammable objects, or a fireplace left unattended can cause a destructive fire. People often think of a fireplace as the heart of the home during the winter.
The warmth, coziness and nostalgia make it an inviting place to snuggle up and watch a movie. But sometimes the best laid plans can get out of hand and cause a fire.
Every winter, we see a large number of fires and explosions due to the lack of proper safety precautions.
Below is a run-down of the key causes of winter fire hazards.
- Losing track of time
- Unused log pile
- Insufficient chimney maintenance
- Cooking indoors without ventilation
- Cooking indoors with inadequate ventilation
- Smoking indoors
Household Fires: What type of fires in the winter are more common?
In the winter, certain types of fires are more common. For example, there can be a higher number of chimney fires because the cold weather decreases the flow of air past openings in chimneys. So gas from burning fireplace embers is not vented properly.
In addition, many people use their ovens for heat, but this can cause kitchen fires. Other colder-weather issues that increase fire risks include dryer lint and improper insulation.
“What type of fires are more common in the winter?” is a question that many people have asked themselves. It is common that fire departments respond to more fires during the winter months than in the summer. This is due to a number of factors, such as not being able to see signs of smoke and weaker sunlight leading to longer dark hours. Colder temperatures also contribute, as well as increased risk of gas leaks and electrical malfunctions.
However, there are some types of fires that are actually more common in the warmer months.
Car Fires: What should you do if your car is on fire?
A car on fire can be difficult to put out on your own. Fires are primarily caused by the fuel source, so it is important to stop any potential sources of ignition. You should also stay away from the car’s interior, as smoke and toxic fumes will quickly fill the cabin.
If you notice your engine smoking or smoldering for a long time before catching fire, pull over immediately and turn off the engine. You should never extinguish a car fire with water because it will only cause the fire to spread.
Instead, you should use sand or dirt, if possible. If these materials are not available, then try to remove any flammable materials that are near the fire. You should also get yourself and other people far away from the fire. Do not attempt to move the car until it has cooled down.
When you find yourself on fire in your car, it is crucial to focus on getting out of the driver’s door. This would be the quickest exit and make sure that you are not limiting your escape route by sitting in the driver’s seat. Once you are out of the vehicle, roll around on the ground for a little bit to put out any flames that might still be smoldering on your clothes.
Youth Fires: What can we do differently to make sure those younger than 18 stay safe and warm?
In the winter, it is more important than ever to ensure that children stay warm and safe. However, in this time of social media, smartphones, and instant gratification, many parents are struggling to find ways to keep their children occupied. What different to make sure those younger than 18 stay safe and warm?
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports, more than 1 million children who are under 18 have been left home alone without adults present at some point in the last year.
For those of us that have had older siblings that were left at home alone, we know how dangerous this can be for them and their younger siblings. To help keep our littlest ones safe, it is important that we talk to them about what they should do if they are ever left home alone.
Many children are not properly prepared to keep themselves safe and warm during the winter months. That is why experts are advising parents to do some additional preparation this season.
Yes, there are several ways that parents can help their children stay safe and warm during the cold winter months. One of these ways is by changing the way they dress so that they will be able to stay warmer for longer periods of time.
What winter fire safety tips should you know and follow?
Now that we have covered the potential causes and sources of fire in the previous sections. Every family should make sure they are prepared for any potential disasters and should become vigilant about their safety this winter.
Now, let’s present the tips to avoid devastating winter fires and advices what to do in such a situation.
However, these are not higher science to go above the head as every winter people get together to share tips to help one another stay safe and warm.
Every winter, there is a spike in home fires and fatalities and fires and the cold weather only makes the risk greater. Follow this winter fire safety checklist to reduce your winter fire risks:
- Keep your thermostat set at an average temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make sure that you have working smoke detectors installed on every floor of your house
- Change the batteries of the smoke detector at least once per year.
- Avoid leaving candles burning unattended.
- Keep the fire contained
- Keep a safe distance from the fire
- Use an approved fireplace screen to stop sparks and embers from flying out
- Place a bucket of water near the fireplace for emergencies
- Clear any combustible items away from your fireplace, chimney or stove before use
- Read the instructions on how to use your appliance safely, follow
- Get out of your car on fire
- Don’t try to put the fire out with water
- Call the fire department
- Roll down the windows of a car on fire to escape
- Pack an extra pair of dry clothes
- Wear Clothes in layers so if you get too warm, you can remove some clothing
Takeaway…
The winter is a time for staying safe and forget the warm summer months. Let’s be safe and warm this winter. This article has hopefully given you some quick and useful winter fire safety tips to keep your family safe this winter.
Be sure to have an escape plan, have a working smoke detector installed in your home, have a fire extinguisher nearby, take time to practice your escape plan regularly, and never forget about candles!
With this guide, this winter may be a new opportunity to be safe and have a little more fun at the same time.
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