Essential Fire Safety Tips to Protect your Northland Home or Business During the Winter Months
Winter in Northland typically brings cooler weather and lots of rain, as well as seasonal fire safety challenges. Fireco is dedicated to helping you keep your home and business safe during the colder months. Here are some essential winter safety tips to ensure your season is not only warm, but also secure!
Electrical Appliances
Winter often means increased use of electrical appliances, especially heaters and electric blankets. However, your appliances can pose fire risks if not properly serviced or used correctly.
- Check Your Appliances: Before plugging in, inspect all electrical appliances to ensure they are in good working order. Look out for frayed cords or damaged plugs – this is particularly important if you’ve left appliances like heaters or electric blankets in storage spaces, like attics or garages.
- Avoid Overloading Outlets: Overloading electrical outlets can lead to overheating, surges, blown fuses, and potentially cause fires. Use power strips with surge protectors to distribute the electrical load evenly, and make sure your extension cables are in good condition.
- Test and Tag: For businesses, it’s crucial to regularly test and tag electrical equipment to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. This process involves a thorough inspection and testing of appliances by a qualified professional to confirm they are safe to use. Find out more about Testing and Tagging here.
Fire Extinguishers
Having fire extinguishers readily available and knowing how to use are key steps in preventing small fires from becoming major disasters.
- Strategic Placement: Keep fire extinguishers in key areas such as the kitchen, garage, and near the fireplace.
- Know Your Extinguisher and Fire Types: Different fire types require different kinds of extinguishing: electrical fires for instance cannot be extinguished by water-based extinguishers, which will cause more damage than good. Knowing the type of fire extinguisher you have on hand and the types of fires it can be used on it important – make sure you have appropriate signage near your extinguisher to inform in case of emergencies too. Check out our guide on fire extinguisher types here.
- Know How to Use Them: Make sure everyone in your household or business knows how to operate a fire extinguisher. Remember the PASS technique: Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.
Candles
Candles can create a warm and inviting atmosphere, but they also pose a major fire hazard if they’re not used carefully.
- Stable Placement: Always place candles on stable, heat-resistant surfaces to prevent them from tipping over.
- Keep Away from Flammable Items: Ensure that candles are kept away from curtains, bedding, and other flammable materials.
- Never Leave Unattended: Never leave a burning candle unattended, especially when leaving the room or going to sleep. Consider using battery-operated candles as a safer alternative.
By following these winter safety tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of fire. At Fireco, we are committed to your safety and wellbeing – contact the team to get started with safeguarding your home or business with our fire safety solutions. Stay warm, stay safe, and have a wonderful winter in Northland!
