This first week of November, all across the Southeast, temperatures began to drop. Some areas plunged below freezing.
While it is exciting to add a favorite scarf to your daytime wardrobe and spend some time curled up by the first fire of the season, staying warm can come with risks.
Did you know heating a home is among the top three causes of house fires? Heating is, also, the second leading cause of death by fire. Space heaters, fireplaces, and furnaces commonly contribute to almost 40,000 homes burning each year.
Of the three heat sources mentioned, space heaters and fireplaces are the riskiest.
Here are three recommendations for protecting your home, family, or business:
- Remember the rule of 3! Space heaters and fireplaces must be, at least, 3 feet from flammable materials: carpet, rug, furniture, linens, etc.
- Plug directly into the outlet and avoid using extension cords or power strips. However, if an extension cord is unavoidable, read the guidelines shared by the US Department Of Energy linked below.
- Monitor, monitor, monitor...at all times. Fires start and spread most when unattended. Unplug and/or extinguish flames in fireplace before leaving the room or going to sleep.
Here are some additional guidelines for fireplace safety and some bonus tips for efficiency!
- https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/small-space-heaters
- HTTPS://WWW.ENERGY.GOV/ENERGYSAVER/WOOD-AND-PELLET-HEATING
We sincerely hope you never need us, but if you and your family experience a fire, water, or mold devastation in your home or business, we are here for you. We are highly trained, equipped, and ready to roll at a moment’s notice, 24 hours a day.
Independent Restoration Services – East Tennessee and The Tri-Cities
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