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New and Clever Ideas to Help Prevent a Fire in Your Kingston Home
6/21/2022 (Permalink)
Smart thinking for fire prevention at your home can really make a huge difference!
Even though house fires seem like less of a concern in the spring and summer months, they are still a huge concern for everyone in the Hudson Valley. It’s astounding that so far in 2022 the American Red Cross has assisted at over 20,000 house fires, which is only a small portion of the total number.
It’s always a smart idea to check your smoke detectors regularly, as they continue to be the best way to prevent any loss of life or extensive damage. Ensuring that you have complete coverage begins with a smoke detector in every bedroom, every floor and in places like the kitchen where appliances that generate heat exist.
Along with having the right equipment, there are many simple tasks you can complete that will also help lower your risk of suffering a house fire.
In Ulster County, we are proud to have many historic and legendary buildings all throughout our region. However, these buildings are likely outfitted with appliances and machines that are older than most.
Ancient appliances are more likely to malfunction and result in a fire because of their extended use and lack of safety mechanisms to prevent accidental disasters. Cleaning them regularly and checking them for any damage is the best way to prevent destruction.
Along with cleaning these appliances frequently, reducing the clutter in your home can allow proper airflows through it, reducing the chance that anything overheats and ignites.
Overloaded extension cords are another frequent cause of fires inside the home. When too many devices are plugged in, these devices are unable to handle the electricity and can burst into flames themselves.
Additionally, you should leave plenty of space between furniture and wall outlets to allow for proper air flow and prevent overheating.
When a fire begins outside and spreads toward your home, the surrounding land that constitutes your yard is the last thing preventing the flames from coming in. In recent years, landscaping techniques designed to prevent fires have become increasingly popular.
These strategies help protect your home from succumbing to a fire, and they allow emergency service workers to do their jobs with ample space. They have been so successful at preventing fires, that states are beginning to enforce defensible zone requirements for yards.
Requirements like these won’t stop you from planting your annual garden or refreshing your floral arrangement—instead, they focus on placing your plants in strategic locations that limit the amount of fuel fires have to burn. It’s also smart to remove any dead plants or leaves, as these are extra flammable and will keep fires going.
In addition to maintaining your appliances and yard, setting a good spring-cleaning routine can help you limit fire hazards. Set a block of time, roughly a week, that you will spend a bit of time each day working on it. This will help lighten the load and accomplish it piece by piece.
However, taking steps toward fire prevention doesn’t have to be a complex regimen. Easy jobs like dusting regularly can help reduce the risk of a fire. Focus heavily on dust near any appliance or outlet, as these are likely spots for dust fires to begin.
If you're dealing with fire damage in your home OR business, call us 24/7. SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz is always here to help!