Checking for Fire Risks in Your Home

From checking dryer vents to making sure your electrical wiring is up-to-date to having your fireplace inspected each year, there are many ways to prevent fires in your home. The first step toward preventing fires is learning what can cause them.

Dangerous Dryer Vents Cause a Fire Risk in Your Home

One of the easiest ways to start a fire is by skipping regular checks on your dryer vents. Drying your clothes at a high heat makes them dry faster, but it also increases the risk of fire. That’s why checking for clogs is so important.

A clogged vent restricts airflow, meaning that your clothes take longer to dry. This can lead to a fire. To prevent fires, unplug your dryer and unscrew the vent. Then, clear out the dirt and lint with a long brush. If you find any large clogs, use a clothes hanger to break them up before brushing the vent clean again.

Another fire-related danger is using too much heat when drying your clothes. Using high heat for more than an hour can cause fire as well as damage to your dryer. If your clothes take more than an hour to dry, you should be using a lower heat setting so they can finish drying without causing fire or damage to your appliance.

Electrical Wiring and Other Household Dangers

Fire is not the only risk when it comes to clogged vents. A vent that is too narrow will fill your home with carbon monoxide.

This deadly gas is odorless and colorless, so if you smell an unusual scent coming from your vents, check for clogs. You can also buy detectors that will let you know when carbon monoxide levels are too high.

You should also check for fire risks in your home related to electrical wiring. Unprotected or damaged wiring can lead to a fire. If you notice your appliances are hot to the touch, they might be overloading the circuit and creating fire hazards.

Other fire risks include overloaded electrical outlets, frayed cords on lamps and appliances, and blocked vents for heating appliances. You can prevent a fire from harming your family by contacting an experienced service that specializes in home protection.

Do Yearly Inspections of Your Chimney

Checking for fire hazards in your chimney is also important if you want to prevent fires at home. If you notice that the fireplace screen has been raised, it’s time to check your chimney.

The screen could have been lifted by a build-up of creosote, which is made up of unburned gas and particles from wood or other materials burned in the fireplace. Did you know that creosote, when ignited can cause a chimney fire?

It’s best to call a cleaning company to check for this hazard and clean out your chimney if necessary.

Having a professional clean out your chimney is also important for safe fireplace use and having the chimney swept once a year will help prevent fire hazards. Common causes of fires in fireplaces include logs that are too big or too green, which can lead to creosote buildup. You should also make sure your flue is open before you light the fire.

Aside from creosote buildup, chimneys can have damage (especially in an old home that has settled over time). Bricks can be cracked or crumbling and metal linings can be corroded. Chimney Services and Construction Milwaukee provides you with a full inspection, pointing out any areas of concern so that you can get them fixed before using your fireplace.

The threat of fires isn’t something we like to think about, but taking proper precautions can make all the difference if a fire does break out in your home. Stay safe and check for these risks on a regular basis!

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