Wintertime Fire Damage Concerns In Bow

11/1/2017 (Permalink)

Candles are also a common fire hazard, especially if knocked over at gatherings or neglected and allowed to burn down to a non-protected surface.

Fire Damage Concerns

Winter is finally coming around the corner after a long, warm autumn in Bow. When the weather changes, it is likely to occur quickly. Prepare for the increased fire risks of our winter temperatures, holidays, and storms ahead of time to avoid inconvenience and even tragedy. Line up a restoration company in case a crisis happens despite your planning.

Changes In Interior Climate Control
The best time of year to check out the condition of furnaces and heat pumps is now. A problem or malfunction of your heating system is the second most common cause of fires in the United States. The three winter months beginning with December, and ending with February see the most house fires traceable to heating. Not surprisingly, space heaters are a common appliance in roughly 40 percent of home heating fire disasters. Use with caution, and never unsupervised, especially with children or pets in the area.

Snow And Ice Storms
Severe storms featuring sleet, slush, heavy snow, and strong winds increase fire risk in a number of ways. The temperature often plummets, causing us to turn up the heat or switch on the space heater. Winter leads the rest of the year in the number of home fires, with heating issues reported in 1 out of every 6 fires. The ice and snow stress electrical lines, resulting in downed wires that can spark a fire.

Generator Issues
Downed wires impel prepared homeowners to use safer standby or riskier portable generators. In recent years the improper use of generators during the three month winter season is responsible for half the generator-related deaths in a year. Although many of those deaths are due to a buildup of carbon monoxide, fires also spark, particularly when a transfer switch is not used and extension cords covered in snow and slush snake outdoors to deliver the power to a home.

Home Holiday Decor
Real pine garlands and trees are highly flammable. Inexpensive strings of lights are prone to shorts, which can be a real disaster when the lights drape over a Christmas tree. Candles are also a common fire hazard, especially if knocked over at gatherings or neglected and allowed to burn down to a non-protected surface. Take care to shield candles and place on non-flammable holders. Keep away from pets and children and avoid the edges or surfaces and draperies or other fabric when displaying.

SERVPRO of Concord hopes your winter months are merry and bright, but if a fire damages your home, give us a call at (603) 225-2825. We are experts in fire damage restoration and will devise a plan that gets your house back to preloss condition.

If you are interested in learning more about Bow visit http://bownh.gov/.