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Fireplaces & Home Safety This Holiday Season

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Access Realty 433494

 

Fireplaces & Home Safety This Holiday Season

 House fires can happen at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that cooking tops the list of residential building fire causes (50 percent), followed by heating equipment (12.5 percent) and electrical malfunction (6.3 percent).

 

Make your fall and winter seasons merry, with these fire safety tips

 

Schedule a chimney inspection at least once a year. Creosote, or condensed smoke, builds up on the flue and can catch fire. An annual cleaning and inspection can help prevent chimney fires.

 

 

Keep flammable items at least three feet from heat sources. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, 56 percent of fatal home heating fires ignite from items being placed too close to heating equipment. Make sure everything is a safe distance from heat sources, including the furnace, space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves.

 

Check smoke detectors frequently. Approximately 60 percent of house fire deaths happen in structures with no working smoke alarms. Test your home's smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries each year.

 

Have a family escape plan and practice it regularly. All household members need to know all exit strategies in case a fire breaks out, as well as where to meet once they're safely outside. Have a semiannual drill and practice at different times of the day.

 

Cook safely. Never leave the room when boiling, frying or baking, keep pot holders and dish towels away from the flame, and immediately turn off appliances when not in use.

 

Be mindful of holiday decorations. If you choose to decorate with strings of lights, always check their condition first. Throw out those with exposed electrical wiring, and be sure to read over the manufacturer's instructions.

Posted by

P. Winston Heverly, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

We service all of Palm Beach County and S. Florida

 

 513 N. Country Club Drive, Suite 200, Atlantis, FL 33462

Office: (561) 247-7376 - Fax: (561) 537-7223 - Cell: (561) 629-2660

Email: PWH@WinstonRealty.co - Web: WinstonRealty

 

Search: Atlantis, Boca Raton, Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens,

South Palm Beach, West Palm Beach           

 

                      

              

P Winston Heverly - Real Estate Agent

Comments (5)

Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Winston... great post. One of the most neglected areas of homes that I see all the time is the chimney.

Oct 29, 2016 11:37 PM
Anonymous
James

Yes It can be easy to see how the chimney is ignored
https://yourdirecthealthcare.com

Oct 29, 2016 11:43 PM
#2
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Good reminders...I did have mine inspected last year and I was told every other year for the amt of wood I burn

Oct 30, 2016 12:04 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho
Sandpoint Realty LLC - Sandpoint, ID
North Idaho Real Estate - 208-255.6227

I am surprised at the cooking top stat.  And I must admit to being guilty of not paying enough attention to my smoke alarm and it make the god awful noise when the battery is done.  Mark

PS...thank you for taking the time to follow me this morning.  I appreciate your time in doing so.  Mark

Oct 30, 2016 12:17 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Thanks for the reminder and sharing the home safety tips I need to check my batteries in my smoke alarms.

Oct 30, 2016 02:30 AM