Now that winter has arrived, there’s no better time to think about how you can take good care of the safety of your home. Household fires are more common at this time of year, but what are the most common causes and how can you prevent the worst from happening?
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Electric blankets
One common cause of household fires in the colder months is electric blankets. Many people in the UK are purchasing electric blankets to cut down on heating costs – in fact, sales have risen by 100% this year. However, without the proper care, they can pose a hazard.
You should never purchase a second-hand electric blanket, and it should always be switched off when not in use. Ensure that the blanket does not get wet and that you are aware of any wear and tear to either the blanket itself or the plug and wires. If you have an older electric blanket, you should replace it at least every ten years to be safe.
Fireplaces
A cosy fireplace is a joy in the wintertime, but both traditional and electric fireplaces might cause house fires if not taken care of. Roughly 2.5 million UK households still use fireplaces that can burn wood or a similar material. These should always be protected by a fireguard and must be completely extinguished before you go to bed or leave the house. You should also make sure that both electric and open fires are not near anything flammable, and that they are regularly cleaned and maintained.
Christmas decorations
Cheerful Christmas decorations can be put up as early as November, and you may not give a second thought to their safety. However, trees and decorations can be dangerous. For safety purposes, you should keep them away from heat sources such as fireplaces and replace any damaged electrical decorations such as fairy lights. Any lights should be turned off at night – while lights from reputable sellers should not overheat easily, you should still regularly switch them off.
Candles
Candles are an important part of many winter celebrations, both secular and religious. Lit candles should always be kept away from other heat sources and flammable materials. Without fail, they must be extinguished overnight. Candles should never be left unattended, and they should be kept out of the reach of pets and children.
Cooking
Cooking is something many of us enjoy during the winter but by taking the correct precautions, you can keep it safe and fun. Try to create a calm environment in your kitchen, and never cook around small children or when you have been drinking alcohol. You shouldn’t leave food unattended while cooking, which means switching off all ovens and hobs at night or when you go out.
How to prevent household fires
With so many potential fire hazards, it is important to consider the safety implications of your everyday living – a total of £1.3 billion was paid out for household fire claims in 2018.
If you are renting a property, your landlord should always provide smoke alarms on each storey of a property, and a carbon monoxide detector.
While prevention is by far the best cure, accidents can still happen. If you require replacement furniture quickly, then Furniture Rental Online can help. In times of trouble, our emergency packages will help to ensure your house remains a home, tiding you over while you get your home back on track.