6 Fall Fire Safety Essentials: Protecting Your Nest in Cooler Weather

As autumn settles in and the leaves turn various shades of orange and red, it’s easy to get caught up in the changes of the season. The crisp air, cozy sweaters, and upcoming holidays can distract us from prioritizing safety during this time. However, safety is key when using our heating devices to stay warm when the temperatures fall or hanging those Halloween decorations around your home. Before you get around to placing those spooky decorations or plugging in your portable space heater, we’ve compiled some essential fall fire safety tips you’ll want to review.  A little extra caution can go a long way in protecting our homes and loved ones!

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. 

PuroClean Home Emergency Services Is the One to Call for 24/7 Fire Damage Restoration!

No one wants to experience a fire and the damage it can leave behind. Fortunately, there’s help available! At PuroClean Home Emergency Services, we specialize in fire damage restoration in Madison. Our team of professional experts has the experience and expertise to restore your property promptly. We know that dealing with the aftermath of a fire can be incredibly stressful, so we are here to provide you with the support you need. Simply call us any time, day or night, at (812) 801-4485, and we will be there to help you every step of the way.