Fire Prevention Tips Featured by Homeowners Insurance Experts

The beautiful fall foliage wowed us as the unseasonably warm days of October captured our collective fantasy, drawing one last wink of outdoor enjoyment before we put on our coats. However, the brief respite from what is supposed to be cool fall weather didn’t last that long. Before we could even think about putting away our summer clothes, the crisp, cool weather more typical of this time of year hit us hard, pushing hard on homeowners, condo owners and renters, as well as drivers of cars, trucks and vans to turn on the heat. No more air conditioning, the winds told us – until the arrival of spring, if the rising mercury of the trusty thermometer resonates…

Insurance companies, as well as agencies across the country, have long dealt with claims and lawsuits related to fires, home damage, and general liability resulting from improper maintenance and use of heating sources. This primer is therefore valuable for the season of climate change, when the warm rays of what some call the Indian summer allow the natural course of the cold to take over.

How to avoid home heater fire hazards

1. Don’t put on the hat of a professional technician if you are a layman. Reserve servicing of your furnace or alternative heating system to professionals who can minimize the associated fire hazards.

2. Leave the drying of clothes and shoes to conventional methods. Do not place wet attractions on top of a space heater. Do not place any such item too close to the heater as it may cause a possible fire.

3. Always supervise children and household pets in a room heated by a space heater.

4. Inspect your space heater’s electrical cord regularly for any damage, including exposed wiring. If the cable shows wear, do not use it.

5. Never start a home fire in a fireplace or wood stove with newspaper or other flammable materials. Instead, use a minimum amount of quality firewood that has not been in contact with moisture so that the burning fire is easily manageable. This will also ensure that your chimney and/or stove pipes are free from dangerous tar and creosote buildup that can cause a home fire.

6. Reinforce a good distance between children and any heating fire.

7. All flammable liquids, such as gasoline or paint, should preferably be stored in a cool garage. Never place these fluids next to any type of heating device.

8. Before and after drying clothes in the dryer, remove the lint from the filter.

9. If your fuses are blowing or your circuit breaker is causing blackouts in your home, consider the likely possibility of a faulty electrical system. Refer the problem to a licensed and insured electrician for further investigation and repair.

10. Have your smoke detector tested monthly.

11. Make sure your home insurance is reviewed by an insurance specialist for optimal fire damage protection. If your policy doesn’t fit your residence, ask your agent to search the web for a more suitable plan at a competitively low price.