Winter Fire Safety

12/28/2016 (Permalink)

We service Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Sikeston, Perryville, Scott City, Chaffee, Charleston, East Prairie, Marble Hill, and Benton.

Did you know over $2 billion in property loss occurs from winter fires?

According to FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency, home fires occur more in the months of December, January, and February than the rest of the year. We want you to stay warm and cozy this winter, but we also want you to stay safe. Here are some tips to avoid damage to your property:

Heating equipment is involved in 1 of every 6 reported home fires and 1 in every 5 home fire deaths.

Keep anything flammable, like paper, blankets, aerosols, or even ping pong balls, 3 feet from any heat source like fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, or space heaters.

Keep portable generators as far away as possible from your house, but especially avoid windows. Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.

Have your chimney and vents inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified professional. Store cooled ashes in tightly covered metal container, and keep it outside and at least 10 feet from a building. You don't want those bad boys reigniting.

Only one heat-producing appliance (i.e. a space heater) should be plugged into an electrical outlet at any given time.

Should you still become a victim of a home fire, call the cleanup and restoration specialists at SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties at (573) 339-1948.