Home Fire Safety
The high cost of electricity and/or shortage thereof has caused many people to search for alternate sources of home heating, cooking and lighting. The use of gas stoves and gas heaters is growing and paraffin stoves and paraffin lamps are still fashionable and some are using charcoal for both heating and cooking. Whilst these methods of lighting and heating may be acceptable, they are a major contributing factor in residential fires. Many of these fires can be prevented. The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire safe home this winter.
Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room ventilation, burning fuel (charcoal, paraffin, or liquid petroleum gas, for example) can produce deadly fumes. Use ONLY the fuel recommended by the appliance manufacturer. And NEVER introduce a fuel into a unit not designed for that type of fuel.
The safe storage of your alternative energy sources is equally important. Keep paraffin, charcoal or gas cylinders and any other flammable liquids stored in approved metal containers, in well ventilated storage areas, outside the house.
NEVER re-fill your appliance while it is operating or hot as unintended contact with a hot surface will cause an explosion. When refueling a paraffin or gas cylinder, avoid overfilling the carrying container. It is very important that refueling be done outdoors always.
Special care should be taken for young children and members of our families who need special care, keep them away from heaters especially when they are wearing night gowns or other loose clothing that can be easily ignited. When using a fuel burning appliance in the bedroom, be sure there is proper ventilation to prevent a buildup of carbon monoxide. The use of charcoal indoors should be avoided because charcoal produces carbon monoxide which cannot be detected by smelling and the results are deadly.
Where your house has a fireplace, be sure it is installed properly and that there is adequate clearance from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection. Have the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time. Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire. Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening, to prevent ambers or sparks from jumping out, unwanted material from going in, and help prevent the possibility of burns to occupants.
Don’t use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding the fire. Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite these materials. Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out.
NEVER break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide. Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house. If windows are used as emergency exits in your home, practice using them in the event fire should strike. Be sure that all the windows open easily. Home escape ladders are recommended. If there is a fire hydrant near your home you can assist the fire department by keeping the hydrant clear of obstructions so that in the event it is needed, it can be easily accessed.
It is always important to have domestic insurance in place as a risk mitigating measure in the unfortunate event of a fire. Such policies also pay for costs of alternative accommodation during the period your house is being rebuilt. At Capitol Insurance Brokers we also have insurance products like the individual personal accident which will take care of costs of medication and even make payouts for permanent disability due to burns and disfigurement.
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