Protect Your Home from House Fires This Winter

It’s finally starting to feel like fall in Oklahoma! Temperatures are coming down (slowly), so that means before too long, we will be turning our heaters on for the first time in months. Before enjoying the transition to fall and winter, take the time now to protect your family and home from house fires.  

Let’s look at what causes most house fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the leading cause of house fires was cooking, followed by heating equipment and electrical distribution and lighting equipment (wiring, outlets, switches, cords, plugs, power supplies, and lighting) from 2019 to 2023. In that same period, home fires and injuries were likely to originate in the kitchen. This information gives us a good idea of where to be the most vigilant.  

Here are some quick tips to help you prevent a house fire: 

• Never leave a stove, range, oven, fireplace or space heater unattended. Make sure those are off when you’re leaving or going to bed. 

• Never use a stove or oven for additional heat. Not only is this a fire hazard, but it can also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. 

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and test those monthly. Replace batteries if needed and install a new device if your current one has reached the end of its lifespan. 

• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and near exits. 

• Place anything that can burn at least three feet from heating sources. 

• Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets. 

• Don’t overload circuits or use damaged cords. Use only certified surge protectors and unplug unused devices. 

• Before use, have chimneys cleaned and inspected by a professional. Install a screen to keep sparks from escaping the fireplace. 

• Hire a licensed electrician to inspect wiring in older homes. 

The NFPA has additional resources on home fire safety that you can find on their website. 

In addition to home safety, you should review your homeowners insurance policy to ensure adequate coverage. Also, don’t forget to take the time to create or update your home inventory! This is something you can easily and quickly do over a weekend, and it will save you time and hassle if you ever must file a claim. Upload your inventory with any photos and videos you take of your belongings to the cloud so you can always have access to it.