Fire Safety For a New Year | SERVPRO of East Greenville County, SC

12/31/2020 (Permalink)

The winter months in upstate South Carolina typically see more residential fires than any other time of the year. Last year in South Carolina.

The winter months in upstate South Carolina typically see more residential fires than any other time of the year. Last year in South Carolina, there were 85 fatal fires resulting in 100 deaths, and several of those fatalities were “heating related,” according to the State Fire Marshal’s office.

Most heating related fires are preventable.  Please follow these safety tips to help reduce those risks:

• Heating pads and electric blankets pose fire dangers – especially if they are older than 10 years old. Do not allow anything on top of either when in use – this includes pets or blankets.  Never fold electric blankets or use while sleeping.
• Take great care when using candles during the winter months. They are an open flame.  If oxygen is in the home, never use candles.  Make sure to use sturdy candle holders and extinguish them when leaving a room or going to sleep.
• Have flashlights ready in case of a power outage.
• Do not use the kitchen oven to heat the home. It is not designed for that purpose, and the heating element may fail causing a fire.
• Portable generators are commonly used in the winter as a result of storm-induced power outages. Carbon monoxide fumes are odorless and deadly, so follow manufacturer’s instructions to prevent death from carbon monoxide.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container.
• Chimneys should be cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional each year. If not, it can become filled with layers of creosote which are highly flammable.

Safety guidelines recommend that smoke alarms should be installed on every level of a home and inside and outside sleeping areas.  This should be done at least once every 10 years.

Finally, if there is a fire emergency in your home, dial 9-1-1 immediately, and stay outside. Never reenter a burning building to retrieve personal things.  Items can be replaced. You cannot.

If you've endured a fire and need emergency services, call SERVPRO of East Greenville County today at 864-292-3495!

www.landrumfire.com