A fire starting in your home probably is not something you think about on a daily basis, but according to the National Fire Prevention Association, there were more than 365,000 home fires in the U.S. in 2015, causing $7 billion in direct property damage.

The damage a fire can cause goes beyond the cost of replacing your personal belongings and we want you to know there are several steps you can take to help reduce the risk of a fire.
A working smoke alarm can reduce the chances of sustaining injury or death in a fire. Smoke alarms should be installed all around your house.

It is especially important to install smoke alarms outside of bedrooms. When you are sleeping you are most vulnerable to a fire. Once smoke alarms have been installed, your job is not done. Remember to check your smoke alarm batteries at least once a year and to replace smoke alarms that have expired (usually smoke alarms have a life span of 10 years).

As you might imagine, many fires start in the kitchen. In order to reduce the chances of a kitchen fire. Never leave a hot oven or stovetop unattended. Keep flammable objects like paper towels, dish towels and wooden utensils away from the stove or oven. And, have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, just in case.

As the weather gets colder, the risk of fire increases. If you use a space heater, remember to keep it at least three feet away from anything that can burn, and always supervise children and pets when the heater is turned on. Prior to using your fireplace for the first time of the season, have your chimney checked by a professional to ensure nothing is blocking it and be certain the damper or flue is open when the fireplace is in use. Do not close the damper until the fire is completely extinguished. Keeping the damper or flue open until the fire is out will draw smoke out of the house.

By following these tips you can help to reduce the risk of fire. However, it’s also important you have the proper coverage in place. To ensure you are protected, call our agency. We’ll be happy to sit down with you to review your policy.