Homework: Defusing firehazards
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire sound cozy, unless you forget to open the flue or have the chimney cleaned. These are just two of the preventive measures people can take to ensure that their home or family doesn't perish in a fire.
DON'T OVERLOAD
Are you overloading outlets? "Adapters and power strips are not replacements for a lack of outlets," warns John Murray, chief instructor of the Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center in Uniondale. Many appliances and electronic devices are not designed for multi-outlet strips. If you only have a two- plug outlet near your entertainment center, you will probably need a new circuit installed to accommodate several electronic devices. One or two devices plugged into a power strip is OK; more than that is risky. Feel your power strip. Is it warm? This is a sign it's overloaded.
DON'T RELY ON CORDS
Extension cords are not for everyday use, Murray warns. People run extension cords under carpets and recliners, and then suffer the consequences. Extension cords can, however, be used for temporary purposes such as for a Christmas tree. "But always use a heavier gauge and be sure it's UL rated," he says.
CALL AN ELECTRICIAN
Do you have lights that flicker or dim? If it's in response to a storm, that's normal. But chronic flickering or dimming is a sign of an electrical problem. Call a licensed electrician.
ODOR IS A BAD THING
If you smell a pungent odor akin to rubber or plastic burning from any electrical appliance or device in your home, Murray urges homeowners to call the fire department immediately. It will dispatch a crew with thermal imaging equipment cameras to detect overheating in any electrical source.
SERVICE REGULARLY
Boilers or furnaces and hot-water heaters should be cleaned and serviced at least once a year, says Vincent McManus, division supervisor of the Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office in Uniondale. "A boiler room is not a storage room. Resist any temptation to store clothing or boxes near your home heating source," he says.
ANNUAL CLEANING
Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves should be cleaned and inspected at least once a year, even if you didn't use your fireplace last year. Birds or squirrels may have made a nest inside the chimney and can cause a chimney fire. If you use your fireplace frequently, creosote can build up and cause a fire. It's also important to check that the mortar between the bricks of the chimney isn't dried or cracked. And make sure that you burn use seasoned hardwood such as oak or maple. Why? It cuts down on the buildup of creosote. Never throw paper such as gift wrap or other garbage into the fireplace because it can contribute to the buildup of creosote, Murray says.
DON'T BLOCK THE DRYER
"Keep the space around your dryer clear," McManus says "because it can block the air flow, causing it to overheat." Don't overload your dryer with too much clothing, because that can lead to overheating and a fire. Clothing should be dried on proper settings: cotton, permanent press and delicates require different temperatures. A delicate shirt on high heat could ignite sparks and a fire. A buildup of lint can cause a fast and furious fire. "Lint traps should be cleaned before every use and vacuumed on a regular basis. You should also vacuum behind the dryer and inside the actual vent pipe every couple of months," McManus says.
CLEAN THE STOVE
Stoves and any cooking appliances should be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent a buildup of grease and dirt. Make sure the oven is empty before you activate self-cleaning. "Once an oven is in the self-cleaning mode, it's locked," McManus says, "and there's no opening it again until the cycle is complete because the temperature is so hot." If you realize you left a pot inside the oven, shut if off. Get out of the house. Call the fire department from the outside.
GO UNPLUGGED
Appliances such as toasters and coffee pots should be unplugged when not in use, McManus advises. Never stick a metal object in a toaster, never hang paper towels over a toaster, and never use the toaster as a shelf to store anything.
WATCH WHAT YOU STORE
Chemicals such as paints and paint thinners should be stored in a vented, metal cabinet - never next to a heat source, Murray says. People with propane barbecues should never store the propane tank in the house or in an attached garage. Keep it in a shed or outside attached to the grill.
GET DETECTORS
Smoke detectors are mandated by law. You should have one on each floor of your home, inside every bedroom and outside the bedrooms in the hallway, Murray says. Smoke detectors have a life expectancy of five years and should be replaced, Murray advises. They should be vacuumed at least once a month.
HIRE A PRO
Finally, Murray says, "make sure that any electrical system changes are made by a certified, licensed electrician.
