The temperature drop from the fall is an excellent excuse to snuggle in the comfort of your home. Lighting candles, preparing a hearty meal, and firing up the old chimney sound great. However, with all these potential sources of fire, you worry about causing an accident and heading straight into a fiery disaster.
No matter how small the fire is, things can get out of control pretty quickly, as we can attest, thanks to over 50 years of combined experience in the fire restoration industry. As a firm certified by the IICRC (the largest and most important certification organization in the restoration industry), we are here to help you identify all the actions you can take to prevent a fire in your home.
Today, we will discuss recommendations for safe heating options, candle safety, and other tips for enjoying this season without causing an accident. So, let's find out what you can do to enjoy a cozy and fire-safe home this fall!
Follow these 10 suggestions to prevent fires this fall
As the season starts, you want to create a welcoming environment without exposing your house and family to fires. Worry no more. We compiled a list of ten tips on how to do it while keeping fire safety in mind.
1. Leave a 3-foot space for your heating equipment
Whether you have a furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater, you should keep anything that can burn at the recommended minimum distance of three feet. You should also turn this area into a children-free zone to prevent any potential accidents.
2. Maintain your heating equipment regularly
Always rely on a certified technician to help install, check on, and clean your heating system. This includes regular maintenance of your HVAC system.
3. Use non-electrical decorations for this season
The best way to prevent a house fire is to not have a fire at all. While there are no rules when decorating your place, Ashley Childers, an interior designer from Arkansas, advises letting Mother Nature guide the colors you use in your home. Among her recommendations for decorations are natural wreaths, organic-looking florals, textured pillows, and wool blankets to create an inviting, warm feeling for your home during this season.
4. Be careful with your electrical decorations
If you still want to add electrical decorations for your home to welcome this season, we advise you to be cautious. According to the NFPA, electrical wiring and related equipment accounted for 6 percent of all residential fires. Their general safety tips are as follows:
- Hire a pro: Use a licensed electrician for all electrical work.
- Inspect homes: Get an inspection before buying or renovating.
- Avoid overloading: Use one heat-producing device per outlet.
- Plug directly: Connect large appliances to wall outlets only.
- Check cords: Keep cords out from under rugs and doorways.
- Watch for issues: Call an electrician if you notice frequent electrical problems, warm outlets, or flickering lights.
5. Use flameless candles for a fire-safe space
If you really like how candles look, you should look into using LED candles (also known as "flameless candles"). These days, many models come with an array of excellent features. This set of two-pack 3" x 3" flameless candles from the Threshold brand is a good budget option and comes with a remote control. If you want to impress your guests, you cannot go wrong with the Ivory flameless candle pillar 3" wide flameless candle from Luminara (and while you are there, you might check their page for impressive seasonal models). If you want more comparisons between different models and brands, check out this Southern Living article on the best flameless candles.
6. Use open-flame candles safely
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in a study from 2018 to 2022, candles caused 4% of reported home fires. They were also the second leading cause of bedroom fires. But if you still miss the scent as well as the warm flickering glow of real candles, here are some tips from the National Candle Association (NCA) to enjoy them safely:
- Trim the wick to ¼ inch: Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping, or flaring. Use a wick trimmer, nail clippers, or scissors.
- Keep the wax pool clear: Ensure is debris-free from matches or wicks.
- Use a candleholder: Choose a good one to catch melted wax drips.
- Avoid drafts: Keep candles away from windows or vents.
- Follow burning guidelines: Don’t burn them for more than four hours at a time, and let them cool for two hours before relighting.
- Use long matches or lighters: Maintain distance when lighting.
- Never leave it unattended: Wherever a candle is burning, stay in the place, and don’t leave it near anything flammable.
- Keep out of reach: Ensure children and pets cannot reach the flames.
- Don’t burn it to the end: Put out the candle when it’s down to the last ½ inch of wax (or 2 inches for pillar candles).
- Space candles apart: Separate them at least three inches apart.
- Extinguish safely: Use a candle snuffer and never use water to put it out.
- Let it cool: Wait until the wax is fully cooled to move or touch a candle.
- Verify it is extinguished: Extinguish any glowing embers before leaving.
7. Exercise caution in the kitchen
While fall is the perfect time for hearty meals and baked treats, be mindful that cooking is the leading cause of home fires, accounting for 51% of all residential building fires that are responded to by fire departments, according to a recent report from the U.S. Fire Administration. To prevent this, take into account the following advice:
- Don't leave your kitchen unattended: As long as a stove is on, you should always check on your kitchen.
- Turn off the stove before leaving.
- Keep children away: Fire from stoves and hot food don't mix well with children's unpredictability. If you want them to stay, always supervise them.
- Keep flammable items away from open flames: Ensure kitchen towels, food packaging, and paper products are away from your stove.
8. Keep a fire extinguisher at hand
You can put out a small fire in a confined area with a portable fire extinguisher. To operate it, the NFPA suggests using the PASS method:
- Pull the pin
- Aim low
- Squeeze the lever (slowly and evenly)
- Sweep the nozzle from side to side
When using your extinguisher, remember to keep the nozzle pointing away from you and then release the lock. We recommend selecting a multi-purpose extinguisher that isn't super heavy and to verify the expiration date. You can check the best models reviewed in this article by The New York Times.
9. Install smoke alarms
Did you know that three out of five deaths occasioned by fire happen in houses without an active smoke alarm? According to the NFPA, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Because of this, they suggest installing smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each sleeping area at all levels of your house. Also, interconnected smoke alarms are preferred. Additionally, you should test smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button.
10. Have an escape plan in case of a fire
To reduce the risks of fire injuries, you should develop a fire escape based on your floor plan. Make sure there are at least two exits out of every room, if possible. Also, have a designated meeting place outside of your home, and practice home fire drills at night and day twice a year.
Still Worried about a potential house fire?
While this fall presents an opportunity for a more cozy, comfortable space via heating the area, using electrical decorations or open flame candles to share the season's warmth, or cooking a hearty meal, this can also become an opportunity for fire-related accidents. Now that you've learned about fire safety from Restore-It, we expect you to feel more confident about welcoming this season in your home. However, should you ever need professional fire damage restoration, you can contact us, and we will be ready to assist you with any trouble you may have.
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