Fall is transitioning to winter and we will be spending more time inside our homes. That means we should be focusing on ways to keep the home safe. There are some general tips we should all consider and some specific tips for the holiday season.
Cold weather requires heat in the home. Different heat sources bring different safety hazards that we should guard against.
- Any heat source that uses fuel to generate heat creates carbon monoxide as a byproduct. Carbon monoxide is the silent killer because you cannot see it, smell it, hear it or taste it, and hundreds of people die each year as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. A carbon monoxide detector should be installed in or near every sleeping area in the home. They are expensive, there is no doubt about it, but the cost is a small price to pay to keep family members safe. Also, have your fuel burning heat sources inspected periodically. Finally, never use the oven, grills or generators as heat sources in the home.
- If you have space heaters, be sure to look for stickers that indicate they have been safety tested. Give space heaters plenty of room, at least three feet from anything flammable. Always make sure that space heaters are safe from children and pets. Finally, never leave space heaters on when you leave the home or are sleeping.
- Be prepared for power outages. When the power goes out not only are you in the dark, you are without heat. If you have a non-power driven heat source, such as a fireplace, use it as a heat source but pay careful attention to such sources at all times. Move perishable food outside to keep them safe longer and run water at various faucets to keep pipes from freezing. Finally, make sure you have flashlights, lanterns, warm clothing, portable radios and cell phones on hand.
- Wood stoves and fireplaces should be inspected routinely by qualified professionals who can spot any cracks or flammable build-up in chimneys. Burn clean fuels after flues are opened and make sure that proper screens are in place. And, of course, have properly operating smoke detectors in all sleeping areas and on all levels of your house.
In addition to the general safety considerations that come with cold weather, winter ushers in the holiday season. A Home Safety Council survey found that 53 percent of the families surveyed said they plan to hang holiday lights, 40 percent will decorate outdoors and almost one-third (29 percent) will decorate with candles. Accordingly, the Council has focused on three major safety areas for the holiday season:
Candle Safety
While candles provide a warm and festive atmosphere, research shows home fires caused by candles peak during the holiday season, with the highest number of candle fires occurring on Christmas Day, followed by New Year’s Day and Christmas Eve.* This year candle safety tops the Home Safety Council’s list of holiday safety tips:
Holiday Electrical Safety
Holiday lights and electrical decorations create holiday cheer both inside and outside the home, but they can also create fire hazards and electrical shock risks if they are not handled properly. The Home Safety Council recommends taking the following electrical safety precautions while decorating your home this year:
Ladder Safety
Falls are by far the leading cause of home injury fatalities. The safest way to climb indoors and out is to use a safe and sturdy ladder. Follow the Home Safety Council’s ladder safety tips when using a ladder to decorate the tree, retrieve stored decorations or hang holiday lights:
Finally, garage usage is higher during the cold months so it is important to make safety in those areas a priority. Carbon monoxide can be a big issue because some appliances, such as water heaters, are commonly located in garages. Also, there is the obvious; the carbon monoxide generated by running vehicles. Never idle or warm up your vehicle inside a garage and make sure your garage meets all building codes when it comes to ventilation.
Fire is also a common garage danger. Many people keep flammable substances in their garages, which is fine if they are properly stored in sealed containers and are out of reach for children. Also, to avoid fires caused by spontaneous combustion, do not allow debris or rag piles to accumulate. In short, a clean and well organized garage is a safer garage.
The seasons change like clockwork and it is easy to become complacent as the days pass from summer through fall to winter. We all need a reminder to spend some time and effort on keeping everyone safe around the home. This is your reminder.
