Winter Fire Safety Tips to Follow

More fires happen in the winter months than any other time of the year. During the cold months, we spend more time indoors and use different methods to heat our homes and offices. It is important to keep fire safety in mind during the winter months.

The first tip is to decorate with care. As decorations come in and out of storage during the winter months, they also come with potential fire hazards.

For instance, nearly two-thirds of fires involving decorative lights are due to electrical failures or malfunctions. Check light strings for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.

Also, avoid plugging too many lights into an outlet; overloaded circuits can overheat and cause an electrical fire. In addition, place any festive holiday decorations no closer than three feet from open flames, lamps and other sources of heat.

Our second tip is to be cautious in the kitchen. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home injuries, so it's important to know what you can do to help keep your friends and family safe while entertaining during the holidays and winter season. The main cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended stovetops and ovens. If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen and use a timer for reminders.

When cooking for longer periods of time, don’t forget to use the exhaust fan or vent above your stove to help prevent carbon monoxide (CO) from collecting inside your home.

Our third winter fire tip is to make sure you have a working fire alarm. When seconds count, having a working fire alarm can save your life. A fire alarm is an important part of maintaining a safe home for you and your family.

If you are a commercial business that requires electrical testing and inspection, to ensure electrical compliance, please don't hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team, you can contact us here: 01604 696113 | enquiries@protestesltd.co.uk.