Winter Fire Hazards

A house fire is one of the worst things that a person can go through for a number of reasons. They do not always end in complete disaster, though. Some house fires may take out just a room or a small section of one, but even still, it can be very unnerving and jar your sense of security for quite a while after it is already over.

Unfortunately, most fires are caused by human carelessness or neglect with electrical appliances, especially those that give off a large amount of heat. There are several of these items in the house, but the ones that pose the most threat are used during the winter to keep us warm.

The space heater is probably the most dangerous appliance used predominantly during the winter time. We use these little conveniences so often that we become comfortable with them and believe that nothing is going to go wrong, but if you leave one of these unattended or place it in the wrong place, disaster is never far away. You should never leave the house while one of these is on or use them while you are sleeping if you can help it. This is because most house fires happen when people are either sleeping or not at home. They also do not belong in the rooms of small children, because of the risk of burns and turning it over. Children’s rooms also tend to have many fabric items like blankets and stuffed animals that can catch on fire if put too close to it.

Another item used during the winter is the electric blanket and these can be almost as dangerous as space heaters, especially if you like to leave them on while you are sleeping under them. The last thing you want is to wake up in the middle of the night and your bed is on fire because you did not turn it off. Try to store these in areas where they will not be stepped on or become wet, because they are easily damaged.

One last thing used during the winter time, but does not put out much heat, are Christmas tree lights. If you leave the house or go to bed, turn these off. Keep your Christmas tree watered so that it does not dry out and become even more of a fire hazard than it already is.