The risk for home fires is increased in winter months. Cold weather means heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, candles, and home cooking…all of which can be risk factors for home fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, half of all fires caused by home heating occur in the months of December, January, and February.
Fatalities caused by home fires have decreased significantly from 1980 (5,822) to 2016 (2,730), but fire and smoke inhalation are still the third leading cause of death for kids ages 1-14.
It’s smart to inspect and test your smoke alarms (and carbon monoxide detectors) regularly to ensure that they are working properly. A working alarm can alert you to a fire in your home early, giving you and your family a minute or two to get outside quickly. Get your heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional each year.
If you don’t already have a fire safety plan in place, take a few moments to talk to your family about where to meet in the event of a fire and explore different ways to get out of the house quickly. If you have younger children, it is especially important to help them practice and educate them about what to do if there is a fire in your home. (HomeFireDrillDay.com is a great resource created for this purpose!) Teach kids to stop, drop, and roll if their clothing catches on fire.
Candles, stovetops, fireplaces, and space heaters can pose a major risk for young children. Keep kids at least three feet away from these items and make sure they are closely supervised when near a hot surface. Never attempt to heat your home with your oven.
Live Christmas trees can become kindling when they dry out, and holiday décor can also pose fire safety challenges.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a home fire, contact the experts at Schuerman Law today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
