Fall Fire Safety: Falling Leaves, Rising Concerns

Autumn’s allure can thrill, and it’s the ideal time for indulging in warm beverages and wrapping ourselves in comforting blankets. Yet, while the season arrives to put us under its spell, it’s important to prioritize fall fire safety. Whether you’re putting up Halloween decorations or plugging in your portable space heat to keep the chill away, exercising caution can help avert a potential fire. Simple tasks by checking your smoke detectors to ensure they’re working or hanging your holiday items far from heat sources make a big difference! Here’s what you should know to make fall a season to remember for all the right reasons.

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.
• Thoroughly Check 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. 

When You Need Fire Damage Support, Call PuroClean of Springfield

Experiencing a fire is a traumatic experience – one that can leave behind lasting damage and emotional scars. The aftermath can be overwhelming, leaving you helpless and uncertain about where to turn. That’s where PuroClean of Springfield comes in. As experts in fire damage restoration in Springfield, we understand your challenges. We specialize in restoring your property and eliminating every trace of soot or smoke damage so you can return to your life. We’re here to support you through every step of the process, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call us at (703) 334-0410 so we can help you navigate this difficult time.