Reducing Fire Risks in Your Indianapolis Home

6/11/2016 (Permalink)

Candles are one of the leading causes of house fires.

Fire can do substantial damage to your home. While the actual fire can be the most destructive, the smoke and the water can also cause lots of damage. At SERVPRO of Indianapolis West, we're experts at fire damage cleanup, repair, and restoration. We have restored countless Indianapolis homes that have suffered from fires. And many of those fires could have been easily prevented by avoiding these common causes:

1. The Beauty and Danger of Candles

Candles are one of the leading causes of house fires. Most happen as a result of forgetting to extinguish the candle when leaving the room it is in. If you do light candles in your home, never leave one unattended. Even leaving for a minute to answer the door or go to the bathroom is enough time for a candle to ignite a material nearby. Be sure to keep candles away from curtains, papers, and other flammables. Also, don't place them where kids or pets can knock them down. The best advice is not to light candles in your home, but if you do, take the necessary precautions. 

2. Something is Burning in the Kitchen

We've all burnt dinners and food in our kitchens. But there are some steps to take to make sure a burnt dinner doesn't turn into a burnt kitchen. When cooking on the stovetop, make sure towels, window curtains, and other flammables are not near the heat source. When cooking with oil be extra careful not to spill any near the heat source. Oil and grease fires are the most common in the kitchen. Never use water to put out an oil or grease fire. Always have a working extinguisher in your kitchen in the case of small fires. It's a good idea to check your extinguisher ever 6-months to make sure it is still in working condition. When using a fire extinguisher on a grease or oil fire, stand far enough away from the fire so that the extinguisher doesn't blow the oil or grease further spreading the fire. Never leave the kitchen when cooking with any heat source including the microwave. Many kitchen fires could have been prevented if the person had not left the kitchen.

3. Space Heaters Turn Into Space Fire Starters

Space heaters are one of the most common causes of house fires in the winter. While many space heaters have built in safety features, they can still be dangerous. If you have a space heater, never leave it turned on when you are away from your home. When using a space heater, keep it away from flammable items like couches, beds, curtains and carpets. Also, place them away from high traffic areas where they may get bumped or knocked down. It's not a good idea to have a space heater running while you are asleep. An extra blanket is a much better and safer choice over a space heater. 

4. Smoking is Bad for Your House's Health

Cigarettes and cigars that aren't completely extinguished are a major cause of house fires. If someone smokes in your house, make sure there is a large ashtray to ash and/or put out the cigarette or cigar. Also, make sure it's cleaned on a regular basis to reduce the risk of catch old butts or cigars on fire in the ashtray. Try not to smoke where a cinder or dropped cigarette could cause a fire like on a bed or couch. 

5. Check Your Fire & Carbon Dioxide Detectors

Walk around your home today and test every fire and carbon dioxide detector. Make sure there is a detector in every major room and area of your home. While you can take steps to reduce the risk of fire, you can't reduce them all. Which is why it's important to have properly installed and working fire and carbon dioxide detectors in your home. If there is a fire, a detector can save your life and reduce the fire damage to your home. 

Have fire, smoke or water damage? Call us at 317-243-3149 for 24-hour emergency service. At SERVPRO of Indianapolis West, we have specialized equipment, professional training, and certiications that allow us to restore your home to its pre-fire condition.