Fire Prevention Checklist

October is National Fire Safety Month and the perfect time for everyone to brush up on their fire safety knowledge.  Here at Garry Insurancenter we love to keep our readers informed and educated on ways to keep their homes safe.  Throughout the month we will be sharing information relating to fire safety month in an effort to keep you and your families safe. 

House fires kill thousands of people each year and typically most house fires can be prevented.  Although your St. Paul Homeowners Insurance protects your home against a fire it is important to walk through the fire prevention checklist at least once a year in an effort to prevent a fire loss from occurring.

Fire Prevention Check list:

• Keep clothes dryer vents clean – lint buildup in the dryer vents can heat up and cause a fire.  These vents should be cleaned every 6 months

• Keep kitchen towels and oven mitts away from stoves while cooking and keep an eye on pots and pans to make sure they don’t boil over

• Have an electrician examine your homes electrical wiring, especially if it is an older home – faulty electrical wiring is a leading cause of house fire

• Have a professional or licensed technician repair or replace faulty appliances

• Keep curtains, clothing and blankets away from baseboard or electrical heaters

• Blow out candles when leaving a room for any length of time – a fire caused by a candle can be spread quickly throughout a house

• Regularly clean fireplaces to prevent a fire from starting in the chimney

• Check your gas furnace before you use it each year