Most people think that they know everything they need to know about fire hazards in the home. Of course, much of fire prevention is simply common sense—don’t dry wet clothes on the heater or smoke cigarettes in bed—and we’ve even come to accept the not-so-obvious hazards like overloaded sockets or improperly vented clothes dryers. But just because we manage to avoid the most egregiously dangerous behaviors doesn’t mean flammable hazards aren’t still lurking in the home. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, someone dies in a home fire about once every three hours, and residential fires did more than seven billion dollars worth of damage in 2006 alone.
It’s a good time to check your home for potentials hazards. Because although your gutters might be clean and your fire extinguisher serviced, danger can lurk in the most unexpected places.
Dust and Lint Disasters
There’s no shame in having a few dust bunnies around the house, but they can cause problems if they build up next to floor heaters or other electronics. Large amounts of dust and lint near sockets or power strips can act like kindling if sparks fly. They can also clog electrical outlets or heater intake valves, eventually getting hot enough to combust. Even if your appliances are new and properly spaced, it’s still not a guarantee against electrical fires. Twice as many electrical fires are started by old or faulty wiring than by the appliances themselves.
Although vacuuming is already time consuming, it’s worth spending a few extra minutes behind entertainment centers to clear out any dust or hair that’s accumulated on the floor near cords and power supplies. Using a hose or crevice tool, it’s also a good idea to pass over outlets and power strips to remove any dust that’s settled into the holes.
The Hottest Electronics
If you have a video gaming system like an Xbox or a Playstation 3, you’d be wise to carefully consider where they’re placed in the home. These units have interior fans to keep their processors cool, but they can very easily become overheated, especially when they’re stored near other electronics or closed in an entertainment center. These gadgets should go on their own shelf, with nothing above or below them, and the door to the shelving unit should always be open while using the devices.
