This has been a rather somber week for the residents of southern California. My heart goes out to all the people who have lost their loved ones and or their homes in the latest wild fire. I thought now is a good time to discuss fire safety given that I am sure it is in the fore front of everyone's mind this last week.
In Minnesota as the weather gets colder, more and more people are using their fireplaces; fire safety becomes even more prevalent. Home and Garden TV or HGTV had a great article a few years ago with a number of tips to keep in mind. Below is a summary of their list and few others from various places. The main idea is to prevent fires from occurring in the first place!
1) Always keep baking soda in the kitchen to smother grease fires!
2) Test your smoke detectors once a month and change the batteries twice a year.
3) Never leave any cooking unattended and never lay loose items near a hot stove!
4) Do not bundle extension cords together by unravel them. They generate heat which can cause fires.
5) Unplug hair dryers and irons when not using them.
6) Do not overload outlets with small appliances. The general rule is one appliance per outlet and remove the plug when not in use. This is also a good idea for conserving energy!
7) Only use the recommended wattage for light bulbs.
8) Give space heaters space!!
9) Keep rugs and carpets from slipping in case of a fire you do not want to slip on your way out!
10) Practice escape routes.
11) Lastly, make sure windows open properly. I have seen homes that are the market with windows that do not open. This is a huge fire issue and limits ways of escape.
I hope this quick list of fire safety tips is helpful. Please feel free to call or email me with any questions! You can email me at cherikuhn@watersrealtymn.com or you can visit my website for more helpful information on the real estate market at www.watersrealtymn.com.
