A Guide to Buying a Water Heater

Ways To Prevent A Fire In Your Home

29 September 2015 by Jeanne Cunningham

According to the US Fire Administration, 374,000 home fires occur in the United States every year. Sadly, this often leads to the loss of a home, personal belongings, pets and the lives of people who lived there. However, by taking a few extra precautions, this can often be avoided. These are some ways to prevent a home fire from occurring at your residence.

Heating System Inspections 

Fires can occur if the heating and cooling system in your home has faulty wiring. It is a good idea to have your system inspected by a professional electrician or heating and air conditioning installer every year. The cost of a yearly inspection is much less than the financial loss you might suffer should a fire occur.

You can also do frequent inspections of your heating and cooling unit on your own. Clean off any dust that may be have accumulated on or around the inside unit of your system. If you have an outside unit as well, remove any dirt or debris that may have collected on it. Replace your dust filters before using your air conditioning when the weather is hot and again before using your heat when the weather turns colder.

Checking Plugs and Outlets 

Every few months check the plugs and outlets used for your appliances and other electrical components, Look for frayed wires in the plugs and burn marks on the outlets. Turn off the main breaker in your home and inspect the plugs and outlets thoroughly.

If there are any frayed wires, these appliances should not be plugged in and you may need to replace them. Burn marks on the outlets are a sign that there is a short and sparks have occurred at some time when the outlets were used. This problem will need to be repaired by a professional electrician.

Removing Dryer Lint 

Every time a clothes dryer is used, lint collects inside the back of it and may become trapped around the motor and electrical wires. This can lead to an unexpected fire that may totally destroy your home.

Unplug the dryer from the outlet and remove the back dryer panel. Clean out all lint that is inside the dryer and clean the lint trap in the front or on top of the dryer as well. Once the lint is removed, replace the back panel and plug the dryer in again.

Flickering Lights 

if you notice your lights flickering from time to time, this may mean the light bulb is about to blow. However, it could be a more severe problem that could lead to a home fire. When this occurs, turn off the light, allow the bulb to cool and replace it with a new bulb. If the problem continues, a professional electrician will need to be consulted.

Burning Candles 

No matter how much you enjoy sleeping by candlelight, never, ever go to sleep with a candle burning. Always blow out candles before going to bed or leaving your home. Make sure that candles are not sitting where the flame could flicker and touch flammable objects, such as clothing, curtains or lamp shades. Make sure that candles are sitting on a sturdy, solid base with a plate or tray to catch melting wax.

Taking the extra time to check your home for fire hazards is important for every homeowner. This may save you from dealing with the heartbreak and damage a home fire creates.

For professional fire safety, contact a company such as Ace Fire Protection.

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