Getting Ready For Fall? Read These Tips First.

10/5/2021 (Permalink)

For professional fire damage repair and smoke remediation, call SERVPRO of South Greenville County.

Getting Ready For Fall? Read These Tips First. 

As the leaves change colors and the weather begins to cool down in Greenville, you can start preparing yourself and your home for the fall and winter. I know you can't wait to start decorating your home, and you are excited to host your family and friends for the holidays. Before you begin your holiday decoration and preparations, have you stopped to think about the fire risks that are present during the fall season? Below are a few fire safety tips to keep in mind as you prepare for fall and the holiday season: 

• Change Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries and Test the Alarms.  We all have a love/hate relationship with Daylight Savings Time. However, this is the perfect time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detector. By changing the batteries during Daylight Savings Time, you can ensure the batteries are fresh, and the alarms will not fail if there is a fire in your home. Make sure you test each smoke alarm when you change out batteries to check the smoke alarm is still working. If your smoke alarms are older than ten years, you need to replace the entire unit with a new one. If you have fire extinguishers in your home, check that they are in working order when you change your clocks each season.
• Check and Service Your Heating Devices Before Turning On Your Heat:
• At least once a year, have your HVAC system inspected, cleaned, and serviced by a certified HVAC contractor. It is also a good idea to check and replace your furnace filters with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.                                                                                                                                                            
• If you're using space heaters in your home, allow at least three feet of space around the heater. I know it is tempting to place a towel, blanket, or clothing on a heater to warm it up on a chilly fall day but do not place fabrics or other flammable materials on space heaters. Make sure you turn your heaters off before you go to bed. 
• If you use a fireplace in your home, have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional chimney sweep. Utilize the three-foot rule whenever you're using your fireplace, and keep flammable objects away from the fireplace. If you can, install a mesh metal screen around your fireplace. 
• Halloween safety – We know you can't wait to decorate your home and begin costumes preparations for Halloween. Remember to keep decorations away from open flames and other heat sources, and use battery-operated lights instead of candles in jack-o-lanterns. 
• Outdoor fire risks – As the leaves begin to fall, you may notice them and other debris building up around your home. Remember to cut back trees, rake leaves, and remove other flammable debris from around your home. When storing your lawnmower and other gas-powered tools for the fall and winter months, empty them of their fuel first. Keep your roof, gutters, and downspouts free of debris as well. 
• Create a fire escape plan.  The first step in being prepared is to have a plan. Did you know if a fire starts in your home, you have just two minutes to escape? It is vital you create a fire escape plan and practice it regularly.Create at least two designated escape routes for each area of your home. Pick a meeting spot outside that is a safe distance away from your home. Also, practice escaping your home staying low to avoid breathing in smoke. If you live in a multi-level home, practice getting out through windows using emergency ladders. 

Follow these tips, and fire will not be able to ruin your fall! For professional fire damage repair and smoke remediation, call SERVPRO of South Greenville County (864) 292 - 3137. We will make it "Like it never even happened."