House fires and casualties increase during the colder, winter months. In part, that’s because we spend more time indoors to try and escape those cold bitter winds. But it is also because we introduce more risks into our home as we attempt to make them feel cosier for our hibernation.
Part of our winter preparations should consist of ensuring we have working smoke alarms fitted into our homes.
Whatever the weather, whatever the time, a smoke alarm will alert everyone in the event of a fire in the home. Having an early warning system in place allows you the chance to escape to safety and stop a fire before it escalates.
A fire can spread quicker than you might expect, and it can only take a few breaths of smoke to cause harm. So a smoke alarm can really save your life, especially if a fire breaks out while you sleep.
Fire Risks Increase As We Heat Our Homes
Whatever you’re using to heat your home, it presents a fire risk.
If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace or woodstove, it can become the centrepiece of the home when you light it. A blocked or damaged chimney can cause a fire if you light it without knowing. And without a proper fireguard installed, flying sparks from hot embers can set fire to carpets and rugs nearby.
Portable electric heaters can cause surrounding furniture, furnishings and clothing to catch alight. This is because once a flammable item reaches a certain temperature, it can then combust. Electric blankets are also a fire risk as you try and heat your bed before you go to sleep.
You should never leave them switched on unattended, but a smoke alarm will quickly raise the alarm should something go up in smoke.
Overloaded Sockets And Damaged Leads Are Common Fire Causes
You could unsuspectingly overload a socket by plugging in a portable heater or electric blanket. This simple act can prove costly, but can also be easily avoided. You just need to pay attention to the amps of the items plugged in, and the limitation of the extension lead.
During the festive period, we plug in dozens of lights without giving any consideration to whether we’re overloading a socket or not. And we plug in all our new devices without a second thought as to whether or not they’re safe.
Electrical items can get damaged just through everyday wear. As a consequence, you should regularly inspect their condition. If you suspect something to not be right, then avoid using the item until repaired or checked.
Fatalities From Home Fires Rise During The Winter Months
Since smoke alarms have become more common in our homes, the number of fire-related deaths has massively decreased. Despite that, there is still a common trend that between October and March, more people die as a result of a home fire.
Having smoke alarms installed makes you less likely to be a casualty. That’s because in homes with a working smoke alarm, around 60% raise the alarm in under 5 minutes.
The best way of protecting yourself, your family, your home and your possessions, is to have smoke alarms installed. Ideally, you should have at least one alarm on every floor of your home.
You should be placing smoke alarms around the sleeping areas of your home, as we are at our most vulnerable when we’re asleep.
When you have smoke alarms installed, you need to maintain and check them regularly. And when you’re installing new alarms, make sure you’re placing them in the best possible position.
But you need to ensure that everyone also knows what they need to do if the smoke alarms do go off.