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From candles to holiday cooking, there are plenty of opportunities to spark a fire throughout your home. However, with a bit of learning and planning, it’s not hard to prevent them from forming in the first place. To avoid the need for fire restoration services, use the following tips.

How Can You Avoid House Fires?

1. Keep Flammable Objects Away From Heat

The average homeowner has a number of flammable and explosive objects just lying around. Whether in the kitchen or the basement, it’s crucial to keep these items away from heat sources at all times. Cooking oil, flour, and aerosol food cans should be kept in the pantry or refrigerator, far from the stove or oven. Chemical cleaning products, hairspray cans, paint thinner, nail polish, and gasoline should also be stored in safe places, far from towel warmers, water heaters, and space heaters.

2. Clean Out Your Dryer Lint

fire restoration

Another common fire hazard is in the laundry room. After multiple uses, lint will start to accumulate in your dryer, and it needs to be removed and disposed of after each load. If you don’t clean out the lint, the dryer will quickly overheat, and it could cause a house fire. In fact, the U.S. Fire Administration reported 2,900 home fires caused by clothes dryers. To prevent any danger, clean out the lint filter after each use, and have the exhaust vent cleaned at least once a year.

3. Keep Your Eyes on the Flame

One of the best ways to avoid house fires is to stay vigilant. If you’re using the stove or oven, don’t leave the kitchen while the appliance is on. If there’s no one else to keep watch for you, turn off any appliances before leaving the room. The same rule applies to using candles. Remember to blow them out before leaving the area that they're in. Also, never get in bed or settle on the couch with lit candles, as many fires occur when homeowners drift off to sleep before blowing them out.

 

If you happen to experience a house fire, reach out to SERVPRO of Greater St. Augustine for help. They offer fire restoration services to homeowners throughout St. Augustine, FL. Each of their staff members undergoes extensive corporate training, and they can also restore your home if water damage occurs after extinguishing a fire. Visit their website to learn more about their fire restoration services, or call (904) 429-4457 to schedule an appointment.

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