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16 Most Common Household Fire Hazards

According to the National Fire Protection Association house fires affect thousands of people annually causing injury and even death. Here is a list of the usual fire hazards and how to prevent them.

One of the top causes of house fires is faulty wiring

By the way, faulty wiring isn’t just hidden behind walls. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to expose hazards every day in your home or workplace. Fortunately, we have some tips.

  • Review electrical cords in your home for fraying and replace as needed.
  • Uncover electrical cords that are pinched by or covered by things such as rugs.
  • Don’t overload circuits. You may want to consult a professional If you are questioning the stability of your electrical system.
  • Surge protector or power strips—know the difference. Surge protectors and power strips are both made for plugging in multiple electronic devices, however surge protectors  are for protecting valuable electronics such as televisions and computers whereas only the surge protector can provide protection of these devices from an electrical power surge.

Cooking is also a major cause of most house fires.

Because, we are distracted. Who doesn’t get distracted while cooking?! We all do. However, kids, pets, and phone calls aside, we have some good precautions to keep everyone safe from fire damage.

  • Pans and pots should never be left unattended over an open flame on the stove.
  • Fire extinguishers should be within reach and readily available should a fire start.
  • When a stove or oven is powered on, built up food or grease can ignite causing smoke and fire damage.

Household dryers for laundry can pose as fire hazards

You’re busy, we get it. But, just for just less than a minute each, you can deploy these tactics before your next load.

  • Improperly installed dryer vents can become clogged and overheat causing fire. Vents should be cleaned regularly.
  • Romove lint from the dryer filter immediately after each load.
  • Remember to clean around and behind the dryer as lint can collect and create a fire hazard

Household space heaters or alternate heating methods can cause fire damage.

  • Older space heaters should be avoided due to inadequate safety features. Newly purchased space heaters should be UL Listed and include safety shut off features.
  • Placement of your space heater is important to avoid the dangers of fire. Placing heaters near flammable objects such as curtains, sofas, and fabric items can cause them to ignite.
  • If you are planning on installing a pellet or wood stove, be certain that the stove complies with the laws of your municipality and state.

Chimney soot can ignite and cause fire and smoke damage

  • The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) can provide information on a certified chimney sweep. Always consider a professional for this job and have your chimney inspected annually.
  • Do not burn damp or green wood that has not been seasoned.
  • Burning wrapping paper, cardboard, or leaves in the fireplace can spark chimney fires.

Need help with fire or smoke damage due to fire, contact Advance Restoration today.

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Flood Plan — When’s the Best Time to Make One?

When it’s not flooding!

Seriously though, now is the best time to make a flood plan. Spring is the time of year with the highest risk for flooding in the Midwest. With melting snow and spring showers the rising water levels and precipitation into our rivers, lakes, and streams can make way for large-scale water damage.

With our close proximity to many lakes the Midwest can suffer significant flooding due to lake-effect weather. The contrasting cold lake waters and warmer air collide to create weather such as high winds and increasing thunderstorms.

Flooding can take place slowly or it can be abrupt and take place without warning. Know what to do before, during and after a flood emergency or disaster.

Know The Difference Between a Flood Watch, Flood Warning, or Flash Flood

  • Flood Watch: According to Michigan Flood Ready a flood watch indicates that flooding is possible in your area. Monitor local news channels and listen to your NOAA weather radio.
  • Flood Warning: A flood warning indicates that flooding is occurring or will occur in your area. Move to high ground and listen to local media for evacuation orders.
  • Flash Flood: When rapid flooding occurs with great force. Low-lying areas are at the greatest risk for flash flooding.

What To Do After A Flood.

  • Return home only when it is safe to do so. Floodwaters often erode roads and walkways making passage difficult at best. Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded and be sure to watch for debris.
  • You should never attempt to drive directly through floodwaters. Just six inches of water can sweep your vehicle away. Standing water may be electrically charged from downed power lines or from beneath the ground, be sure to avoid walking through standing water.
  • Photograph or video your property damage for insurance purposes.
  • Do not attempt to clean-up standing water, this is best left to a professional who knows how to check for electrical and other hazards.

Hopefully, extreme weather conditions won’t be prevalent this spring however, it is important to know your flood risk, and consider purchasing flood insurance if you are near a flood zone. Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans and know where to go should you need to get to higher ground, the highest level of a building, or to evacuate.

Make a flood plan or emergency plan and include a minimum of 3 days of food and water. Included in your emergency preparedness kit should be a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies. Stay tuned to your phone alerts, TV, or radio for weather updates and emergency instructions

If you find yourself in the aftermath of a flood that has caused water damage to your vehicles, home or business call Advance Restoration, a team of disaster restoration specialist on call for 24/7 response, day or night.

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Tornadoes On The Rise—Are You Prepared?

When warm air meets cold air the conditions for tornadoes rises. Do you know the warning signs of a tornado?

Tornadoes can strike at any time and without warning although meteorologists are better able to predict the signs of a twister now more than ever before. Every minute counts, and even a few minutes warning can provide an opportunity to seek shelter.

Do you know the difference between a watch and a warning?

A tornado watch is when the conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop. If you hear an alert that there is a tornado watch in effect, this is your opportunity to be attentive to the weather, alert friends and family, and listen for updates by TV or radio. Cars should be moved into the garage as well as any lawn furniture or equipment that could pose a hazard should it become airborne causing bodily harm or property damage. If you hear a tornado siren, stay inside and take cover.

A tornado warning tells you that a tornado has been spotted either by eye or on radar in your area. When the warning alarm is given, it’s time to take cover as you may have only seconds to protect yourself and your family.

Signs of a tornado:

  • Dark ominous sky
  • Large hail balls
  • Dark, low altitude clouds
  • Loud roar that sounds like a train

Where to seek shelter.

The safest place to go is underground such as in a basement, or bomb shelter. Protect yourself by going to an area of your home, school, or workplace that is away from windows such as a bathroom, closet, interior hallway, or under a heavy piece of furniture. Stairwells are also good places to take cover and in some cases lead to lower levels where you can get out quickly when safe to do so.

If you are in your car or truck you should abandon the vehicle and find shelter inside or underneath a sturdy structure. Lie facedown in a deep ditch or low area and protect the back of your head with your arms, staying away from trees and other structures that are easily blown down. If you are in a mobile home or trailer, get to a safer structure immediately; you may even be safer outdoors if you can find a ditch to lie in.

When the tornado is over:

  • Stay put until the storm is completely over or emergency personnel have arrived and given the go ahead
  • Survey the people around you for injuries and give first aid or seek help if needed
  • When leaving your shelter, watch for downed power lines and stay away from water that may have downed wires in them
  • Do not use lighters or matches as there may be gas leaking from broken pips or fuel tanks nearby

 How do you recover?

Standard homeowners and business insurance policies typically cover tornado and storm damage, as does the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. If you experience tornado damage contact a reputable storm damage restoration specialist. Trained disaster specialists will help you to file your loss and work with your insurance to assess the damage and provide detailed documentation of your property and content damage so that you can get your home or business back to pre-loss condition or better without delay.

Don’t be caught without a plan.

Make a plan today. Go to Make a Plan for helpful suggestions on disaster preparedness.