Fire Prevention tips for Homeowners

Prevent house fires | Space heaters high risk for fires | Heater Inspections
Arizona, Phoenix, Tempe, Peoria, Ahwatukee, AZ

Fire injuries and burns are the third most common cause of fatal injuries in the Arizona home, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. House fires often result from malfunctions in furnaces, appliances, cigarette smoking, and from cooking accidents in the kitchen. Regularly inspecting the most fire-prone areas of your home and taking steps to correct any problems can reduce your risk of an accidental fire.


Helpful tips to prevent home fires:

• Schedule an inspection of your heater/furnace every year before heating season starts. Regular inspections are important in detecting problems in your heater that could cause a fire. Keep newspapers, boxes and other combustible items far from your furnace.




• Be extremely cautious when using a space heater in your Phoenix area home. Always turn off the heater when you leave the room, and place the heater 3 feet away from anything that could burn such as drapes, bedding or furniture. Don't try to extend the reach of your space heater with an extension cord. If the cord overheats, a fire could occur.




• Always use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from igniting carpeting, flooring, kindling, furniture or other items in the room. Before you begin to use your fireplace each year, have it professionally cleaned to remove creosote, a byproduct of wood fires that can cause a fire in your chimney.




• Get into a habit of removing lint from your clothes dryer after each load and make sure that your dryer is vented outside your home. At least once each year, clean out the lint that builds up under the lint trap, in the back of the dryer and in the dryer vent. Install a smoke detector in your laundry room and turn off your dryer before leaving your home.




• Avoid overloading outlets with power strips that can accommodate multiple items. Don't use a higher wattage light bulb than is recommended for the fixture. Don't use extension cords if possible, as they can easily overheat. Never use a frayed extension cord. Don't push your television up against the wall. If you don't allow air space around the TV, it can overheat and cause a fire.




• If you smoke, have your last cigarette before you go to bed. According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths. Don't smoke when you are tired, have been drinking or are in bed. Empty ashtrays every day and wet the contents before placing in the trash.


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Always store gasoline in red safety containers that are kept outside the house. Make sure you wait for your lawnmower to cool down before adding more gasoline, and don't add gasoline in an enclosed area.



• Never leave matches and lighters within children's reach, and don't leave kids alone when there is a fire in the fireplace or a space heater is running. Make sure your children know the escape plan if a fire should occur.