Apart from the loss of property, treasured possessions, and valuables, fires also result in emotional trauma which can be hard for you to erase from your memory. When faced with this type of distress, the overwhelming task of restoring your home should only be handled by a professional firm which specializes in fire damage restoration in Newtown Square, PA.
Our main aim here is to look into some of the steps you can take to reduce the risk of devastating fires in your home. Following these simple yet effective steps and remaining attentive while doing anything which can cause a fire can help prevent a devastating loss.
Cooking
The majority of cooking fires are due to negligence by people, not the failure of appliances, and occur when the food being cooked is left unattended.
You can prevent cooking fires by avoiding these common mistakes:
- Leaving ovens or burners on after you’re finished cooking
- Not keeping safe distances between heat sources and combustibles like potholders
- Wearing clothing with loose fitting sleeves while cooking
- Not using a burner that matches the size of the pan
- Not keeping the flame under a pan while cooking over a gas stove
Upholstered Furnishing
Upholstered furniture and mattresses consist of fillers and foams which start burning rapidly and produce tremendous amounts of heat plus toxic gases.
Some of the main causes of fires involving upholstered furnishings include lighters or matches, careless smoking, and unattended open flames such as candles. Other reasons include sparks originating from wood stoves, fireplaces, and heaters.
How to prevent upholstered furniture from catching fire
To prevent the risk of fires you can purchase upholstered furniture which has greater fire resistance in comparison to conventional furniture. Ideally, you should search for upholstered furniture which has been manufactured according to the guidelines mentioned in the Upholstered Furniture Action Council program. These furnishings are made with fabrics and foam having a higher resistance to ignition caused by smoldering cigarettes.
Other steps you can take consist of:
- Leaving at least a three-foot space between upholstered furniture and wood stoves, fireplaces, and space heaters
- Keeping open flames like candles a safe distance from your upholstered furniture
- Ensuring electrical appliances, lamps, and cords are kept away from mattresses and upholstered furniture