Recognizing a Fire Hazard

A fire can be a devastating accident on any property, so it’s important to watch for potential fire hazards and handle them before an incident occurs. The smoke and fire remediation professionals at United Water Restoration Group of Sterling would like to discuss how to spot a fire hazard in Sterling, Virginia and what you can do to protect your home or commercial space.

 

Identify Ignition Sources

Ignition sources refer to any heat source that is able to get hot enough to cause a fire, such as:

• Lighters or matches
• Cigarettes, cigars, or vapes
• Cooking appliances
• Hot plates and candle warmers
• Fireplaces
• Electrical, gas, or oil-powered heaters

 

Know What Fire Hazards Are

Here are some common fire hazards to keep an eye out for in your home or commercial property:

• Loose outlets or exposed wiring
• Overloaded outlets and extension cords
• Unattended lit candles
• Dirty fireplaces
• Food debris and grease on a stove
• Full lint trap
• Flammable items near a water heater, hairstyling appliance, or iron

 

Look for Sources of Fuel

A source of fuel is anything that could catch on fire, like:

• Clothing, towels, curtains, and other household fabrics
• Furniture
• Flammable liquids, like gasoline, cooking grease, fire starter, and some cleaning solutions
• Cardboard and paper
• Plastic

 

Understand Oxygen’s Role

It’s important to know that fire grows and spreads because it has access to oxygen, which fuels it. In many property fires, oxygen comes from the surrounding air. But in other cases, oxygen can come from oxygen canisters, which you may have in your home or healthcare facility.

 

Help prevent a fire hazard in Sterling from becoming a fire by using best usage and storage practices for oxygen canisters and having a plan for eliminating a small fire’s access to oxygen should one occur.

Check Your Fire Safety Tools

Finally, make sure all of your property’s fire alarms are working by regularly testing them and replacing the batteries. Then, check that you have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, where many property fires start, and in other areas where you use machinery, such as a shop.

You can prevent a fire hazard in Sterline from becoming a fire by being armed with this knowledge. But if an incident does occur, you can trust the experienced professionals at United Water Restoration Group of Sterling to restore your home or commercial space from fire or smoke damage. Call our 24/7 number at (571) 444-2180, and we can connect you with a technician as soon as possible.