Here are some excerpts from a recent article on erieinsurance.com:

Fires cause an estimated 3,500 deaths and nearly $4 billion in property damage in the United States annually — much more than hurricanes, tornadoes or floods. Yet many people ignore common fire hazards in the home and don’t prepare themselves or family members for this more common catastrophe.

Many home fires are caused by space and portable heaters:

• Keep flammables, such as drapes and furniture, away from space and portable heaters.
• Hire a certified chimney sweep to regularly clean and inspect the chimney.
• Inspect heating equipment regularly for proper design, installation and operation.
• Follow manufacturer instructions when installing and filling liquid- and gas-fueled heaters.
• Never leave auxiliary heating equipment unattended.

Household appliances are another common cause of fires:

• Don’t overload wall outlets.
• Don’t use fuses rated too high for your home’s circuits.
• Don’t use frayed electrical cords.
• Don’t run extension cords under rugs or furniture.

The kitchen is another major area where you can practice fire safety:

• Keep the stove clean and free of grease.
• Keep the handles of pots and pans turned inward.
• Keep all flammable material (including shirt sleeves) away from burners.
• Keep a fire extinguisher rated for grease fires nearby.
• Never store flammable liquids in the kitchen.
• Never leave cooking unattended.

Here’s a link to the full article from Erie Insurance.

For more information, drop by our website at www.albionagencies.com, or get in touch with me.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to determine your specific insurance needs.