Fireproofing Your Fall: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fall Fire Safety

It’s all about the excitement and anticipation during the fall season! When the leaves change color and the air cools, we can’t help but get lost in the beauty of it all. However, it’s important to remember that a greater risk of fires comes with the changing season. As decorations start going up for Halloween and we rely more on heating devices to keep warm, we must prioritize fire safety. It doesn’t take much to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe during this time of the year. Following a few simple fall fire safety tips, you can enjoy the season to its fullest without worrying about fire-related incidents. So, remember to be cautious and keep fire safety a top priority.

Fall Fire Safety Tips

• Change Smoke/Carbon Detector Batteries and Test the Alarms. Changing your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries is a big part of fall fire safety. This ensures the alarms don’t fail when you turn the heat on in your home. Don’t forget to test the smoke alarms after inserting the new batteries. Check that all fire extinguishers in your home are also in working order.
• ThoroughlyCheck and Service Your Heating Units:
  • Have your HVAC system inspected, cleaned, and serviced by a certified HVAC contractor. Check and replace furnace filters with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. 
  • If you use space heaters, keep at least three feet of space around them. Don’t place fabrics on space heaters to dry, as they are flammable and can spark a fire. Always turn the heaters off when going to bed. 
  • Prefer to rely on your fireplace instead? Hire a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean your chimney before starting the season’s first fire. Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from the fireplace and place a mesh metal screen around it. If children and pets are in your household, ensure they don’t get too close to the fireplace.

• Halloween Safety. Can’t wait to decorate your home and plan scary costumes for Halloween? Remember that fall fire safety comes first. Arrange decorations away from open flames and other heat sources, and use battery-operated lights instead of candles in jack-o-lanterns. We strongly advise you not to use real candles to decorate your home and instead opt for flameless candles or other alternative light sources.
• Outdoor Fire Risks. As leaves and other flammable debris accumulate around your home, practice good fall fire safety action and make it a habit to remove them periodically. Prune trees and rake up leaves and twigs. Clear your roof, gutters, and downspouts of debris, and remove remaining fuel from lawnmowers before storing them for winter. Store excess gasoline in leak-proof containers and out of children’s reach, preferably in a detached garage or shed. 
• Create a Fire Escape Plan. And be sure to review it often! Emergency preparedness is key. If a fire breaks out unexpectedly, you and members of your household will know what to do. Designate an escape route for each area of your home and establish a meeting place outside. When conducting a mock fire escape, practice exiting low to the ground to avoid smoke inhalation. 

Need Fire Damage Restoration? Give PuroClean of Burlington a Call!

Fires can be extremely distressing, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and emotionally drained. The aftermath can be daunting even after the flames are extinguished. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this alone. At PuroClean of Burlington, we specialize in fire damage restoration in Burlington. Our experts are on hand to restore your property and eliminate any trace of soot or smoke damage. We understand the emotional exhaustion of the situation, so we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please don’t hesitate to call us at (262) 342-2226, and we will walk with you every step of the way.