Fall Fire Safety Guide: Autumn Leaves and Fire Prevention

As the leaves change colour and the temperature drops, it’s easy to get lost in the excitement of the fall season. However, it’s important to prioritize fire safety during this time. With decorations going up for Halloween and the use of heating devices on the rise, there are a few crucial fall fire safety tips to keep in mind. Remember, a little extra caution can go a long way in ensuring a happy and healthy fall for everyone.

Fall Fire Safety Tips

• Change Smoke/Carbon Detector Batteries and Test the Alarms. Changing your smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries is a big part of fall fire safety. This ensures the alarms don’t fail when you turn the heat on in your home. Don’t forget to test the smoke alarms after inserting the new batteries. Check that all fire extinguishers in your home are also in working order.
• ThoroughlyCheck and Service Your Heating Units:
  • Have your HVAC system inspected, cleaned, and serviced by a certified HVAC contractor. Check and replace furnace filters with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. 
  • If you use space heaters, keep at least three feet of space around them. Don’t place fabrics on space heaters to dry, as they are flammable and can spark a fire. Always turn the heaters off when going to bed. 
  • Prefer to rely on your fireplace instead? Hire a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean your chimney before starting the season’s first fire. Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from the fireplace and place a mesh metal screen around it. If children and pets are in your household, ensure they don’t get too close to the fireplace.

• Halloween Safety. Can’t wait to decorate your home and plan scary costumes for Halloween? Remember that fall fire safety comes first. Arrange decorations away from open flames and other heat sources, and use battery-operated lights instead of candles in jack-o-lanterns. We strongly advise you not to use real candles to decorate your home and instead opt for flameless candles or other alternative light sources.
• Outdoor Fire Risks. As leaves and other flammable debris accumulate around your home, practice good fall fire safety action and make it a habit to remove them periodically. Prune trees and rake up leaves and twigs. Clear your roof, gutters, and downspouts of debris, and remove remaining fuel from lawnmowers before storing them for winter. Store excess gasoline in leak-proof containers and out of children’s reach, preferably in a detached garage or shed. 
• Create a Fire Escape Plan. And be sure to review it often! Emergency preparedness is key. If a fire breaks out unexpectedly, you and members of your household will know what to do. Designate an escape route for each area of your home and establish a meeting place outside. When conducting a mock fire escape, practice exiting low to the ground to avoid smoke inhalation. 

Call PuroClean Restoration of Chatham-Kent for 24/7 Fire Damage Support

Few things are more devastating than a fire. The aftermath can be emotionally and physically overwhelming even after the flames are extinguished. This is why it’s crucial to call the professionals who can handle fire and smoke remediation with the expertise and care it requires. Here at PuroClean Restoration of Chatham-Kent, we specialize in addressing the aftermath of fire damage in Chatham-Kent, ON. From removing soot and smoke damage to rebuilding your property, our team of experts is trained to manage every aspect of fire damage restoration. Please call us today at (519) 628-5655 for 24/7 support.