Posted by: Chris Laney on October 4, 2019

It's Fall – Time to Review Your Home's Fire Escape Plan

The calendar has officially turned from summer to fall, and now is the perfect time to go through your home's fire escape plan and review fall fire prevention safety tips. As the leaves start to fall and the weather begins to cool down, we begin to turn to thoughts of cozy nights by the fireplace, or, if we don't want to give up summer, exactly how long we can wait before we freeze to death before turning on the heat.

Fact is, fall is here, and with it comes a few seasonal fire prevention tips to keep in mind.

It's Time to Change the Batteries.

When daylight savings time hits, it is always a good rule of thumb to replace the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. When checking the detectors, don't forget to test them to make sure the alarms are still functioning properly – you don't want fresh batteries if the alarm won't sound in case of a fire.

Also take this time to check the fire extinguishers inside the home. Make sure they're in good working order and that everyone in the house knows where to find them and how to operate them.

Heating Your Home

When you're ready to turn on the furnace, check these areas before you crank up the heat.

1. Check the HVAC system thoroughly before using it for the season.
2. Change your filters and consider having your vents professionally cleaned.

Space heaters make up more than half percent of house fires in the United States alone. If you must use a space heater take extreme precautions and follow these rules:

1. Space heaters should always have three feet of empty space around them at all times.
2. Keep curtains and other fabrics away from space heaters. This means never place them on the coils to dry or have them near enough to the heater where a breeze could blow them into the heater.
3. Never leave a heater on before going to bed.
4. Always check the cords before you use a space heater for the first time for any frayed or torn wires.

Fireplaces offer a different set of rules when you're ready to use them for the fall. Just like your central heating system, you want to have your fireplace inspected by a professional chimney sweep before the first use. A mesh screen should always protect the fire – keeping objects from accidentally finding their way into the flames. The mesh will also keep sparks inside the fireplace where they belong.

Like space heaters, keep all flammable objects at least three feet away from fireplaces and never leave a fire unattended.

Outdoor Fire Safety

Just because the nights are cooler, doesn't mean outdoor celebrations stop! In fact, fall brings about new things to think about in terms of outdoor fire safety.

1. If you set out jack-o-lanterns for Halloween, you might consider not using an open flame to light them. Instead, try battery operated candles, flashlights, or even glow sticks.
2. Avoid parking near a freshly raked pile of leaves or other dry debris on the ground. The heat from your exhaust could potentially ignite the leaves.
3. Store unused propane tanks from gas grills away from your home, not in a shed or garage. It's recommended to dispose of unused fuel safely, as the vapors can cause accidental fires.
4. Watch out for any holiday decorations you are putting up. Lights can look pretty, but they can cause fires if placed on dry brush or if they are indoor lights. Always check the packaging and follow the directions carefully.

Fire Restoration

If you find yourself in a situation where a fire has occurred, the professionals at Water Out are standing by to help. Preparing your home is the biggest step in fire prevention and safety, but accidents can still happen, and our crew is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to any fire damage emergencies that occur to homes in the Fort Wayne area.

Our goal is to get you and your family back to your home as quickly as possible – with as little disruption to your life. Visit our website for more information, but more importantly, contact us when the emergency strikes – we're ready to help.