The winter months are upon us. The snow is coming, the harsh weather conditions are coming, and your home must be prepared for all of it. To many homeowners that are trying to maintain a safe and comfortable environment inside, this is one of the most frustrating times of the year.
The good news is many Philadelphia and Ardmore residents are equipped with a beautiful fireplace. The bad news is that many Philadelphia homeowners are at an increased risk of experiencing a house fire this winter — especially when not utilized properly.
That’s why it’s important to practice safe habits when using and maintaining your fireplace this holiday season. Failure to do so could result in a tragedy to you, your home, and your loved ones. Success in doing so could be the best decision you make this year (and next year).
Don’t worry, we understand how stressful this can be for any homeowner or family. That’s why we’re going to take a look at some of the most prominent tips and guidelines we have when preventing fire damage this winter season.
Here are Some Safety Guidelines & Tips for Your Fireplace in Philly
- Always make sure the wood you use is dry, cured wood.
- Make sure you have your fireplace and chimney inspected annually.
- Ensure your fire alarm is working properly, have a fire extinguisher nearby, and always have a fire escape plan for you and your family.
- Keep any flammable items away from your fireplace at all times. Yes, that means removing Christmas stockings when lighting the fire.
- Don’t overload the fireplace and never leave it unattended. You need eyes on it at all times.
- Keeping the screen closed helps keep embers and sparks from reaching the carpet or nearby drapes.
- Try not to burn a fire for longer than 5 hours at a time. Never fall asleep with a fire lit and make sure kids/pets are supervised.
- Maintain proper airflow in the room to keep it from getting smoky.
- Use a fire-starter, opposed to gasoline or lighter fluid, to start your fire.
- Burning trash or types of wood that aren’t firewood results in harmful toxins and chemicals being released into the room. Only burn firewood.
A house fire can happen at any time and they can spread at an alarming rate. Maintaining a safe home throughout the holiday season often requires a heavy focus on fireplace safety. Of course, freak accidents do occur and your family must be prepared for the worst case scenario.
Having your action plan in-place does a lot for your family’s safety, but you also need to have a plan once the fire is put out. That includes having a quality and proven fire damage Philadelphia restoration company by your side to help you through this mess. With the right help, you can effectively move past this terrible scenario.
Contact Priority Restoration Today!
If you’re looking for a Philadelphia disaster restoration company you can trust, contact Priority Restoration today. We help residents throughout the Philadelphia and Radnor area, so feel free to give us a call whenever you need our assistance — even if it’s for water damage restoration in Philadelphia.
