Fire Prevention Tips

If you follow the Chicago Fire Department Incidents Facebook page you would notice that there have been quite a few house fires in Chicago over the past month. Residential fires can be devastating and can occur when you least expect it. At Perfection Property Restoration team loves helping our communities recover from fire damage disasters by providing fire damage cleanup services. However, we also believe in being prepared for any type of disaster, this includes fire prevention.

Fire Prevention Tips

There are several fire prevention tips you can follow to protect your family and your home from fire damage disasters. This blog article will cover prevention tips for electrical fires, kitchen fires, and heating units.

Electrical Fire Damage Prevention

·         When using appliances, small or large, always make sure the appliance is plugged directly into a wall outlet. Larger appliances require more power to run and can easily overheat extension cords and plug extensions.

·         Unplug small appliances when they are not in use.

·         Make sure to keep lamps or light fixtures away from combustible materials. Light bulbs can get pretty hot while in use. In fact, light bulbs get hot enough that some fragrance warmers and children’s baking appliances run on light bulbs.

·         Speaking of light bulbs, make sure you are using the correct wattage for the lamp or light fixture you are using.

·         Check your electrical cords for any cracks, damage, or loose wires. We recommend you replace these cords instead of trying to repair them on your own…unless you happen to be a licensed electrician.

·         Avoid covering long cords with carpeting, rugs, or tape. Covering your cords can cause heat and friction to build up over time.

Kitchen Fire Damage Prevention

·         Always keep an eye the stove, fryer, or grill when cooking. You would be amazed at how many kitchen fires started from making simple dishes like macaroni and cheese. It is easy to forget that you have a pot of boiling water on the stove when your attention is drawn to another task.

·         Make sure your stove and the area around hot cooking appliances are cleared of combustible items, such as wooden or plastic cooking utensils or kitchen towels. This also includes loose clothing that may come in contact with a hot burner while leaning over the stove.

·         Keeping your kitchen, a “kid-free” zone while cooking can go along way in preventing a kitchen fire, or second degree burns from curious hands.

·         We also recommend turning pot and pan handles inward while to avoid any cooking disasters.

Heating Unit Safety

·         When using a portable space heater make sure there is ample space between the appliance and any combustible items. It would also be wise to turn off any space heaters when an adult is not present or when going to sleep.

·         If your home has a fireplace it is crucial that the chimney gets inspected and cleaning each year before use. We also recommend investing in a sturdy screen to catch any venturous sparks.

·         Make it a house rule to have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

·         When using heating units that use propane make sure the propane tank is properly stored.

 If you do experience a fire damage emergency, please contact a professional fire damage restoration in Rockford IL team immediately to ensure the safety of the property and anyone who may enter the property.