Summer gives you the chance to explore and have fun outdoors. It is also a great time to catch up with family and friends through barbeque party and lounging in the poolside. Thus, there is extra toil on your appliances and electrical system that may create fire hazards. Have worry-free holidays from these seven expert fire safety tips from our trusted electricians:
Clean Your Gutters And Yard
Sweep off dried leaves and twigs from your yard all the way up to your gutter. Especially when you live in a bushfire prone area, keep your yard free from combustible materials that may easily catch on heat. For your gutters, you may want to install a gutter guard to avoid blockage of your stormwater drains. Learn how a gutter guard can protect your gutters from early wear-and-tear.
Keep A Fire Extinguisher At Hand
The source of the fire can happen anywhere at home. However, it will be ideal to have one tank per room particularly near areas prone to heat. Examples are your kitchen and yard where you usually have your BBQ.
Test If The Smoke Alarms Are Working
Press the test button and you should hear a sound. If it is battery-operated, replace the batteries. If it is hard-wired, call your local electrician. Sometimes, you will hear a weak sound coming from your smoke alarm devices. Check the stickers on the unit’s life expectancy and when the batteries were last changed.
Important Pointers:
- Make it a habit to change the batteries once a year.
- Install a smoke alarm in every room of the house.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how the smoke alarms should be positioned.
- When the alarm signals are weak, replace the batteries.Â
- Replace the smoke alarm units every 10 years.
- Test if your alarm system is working every month.
Don’t Leave An Open Flame Unattended In The Kitchen
Cooking is one of the most common causes of fire at home. If you need to answer a call or get out of the kitchen, switch off the cooktop first before leaving. Make sure to cover the lids before leaving and keep papers away from the stove. Don’t leave your younger children unattended in the kitchen as they may touch hot surfaces. Always conduct a routine inspection of your natural gas line connections. You can conduct a detergent soap test to check for potential leaks.
Don’t Overload Power
When you are at home, hiding from the heat of the sun and making the most of the air conditioning, it is easy to be caught up with your gadgets and charge them while browsing. Advise all members of your family to refrain from this unhealthy habit. Be extra cautious of plugging several appliances in one power outlet, especially in the kitchen. Powerpoints can also be overloaded with lighting decorations during the holidays. If you need more power points at home, contact us to make this possible for you.
Keep An Eye On The BBQ
Be wary of the smell of gas while grilling as this may easily catch fire especially with the hot and windy weather. If you do smell a gas leak, turn off the gas valve immediately. Keep your eyes on the grill. Have someone help you bring along ingredients for your cooking so you don’t have to leave your spot.
Devise An Evacuation Plan
Create an escape plan in case of fire. Educate young children on all exit points in the house and make it a fun drill for them. Emphasize the importance of the activity because the fire can’t only damage property but also take away lives.
If you think your electrical systems need some work or updating, please contact the Plumbing and Electrical Doctor to book our expert electricians before the holidays rush. It is always important to welcome the summer season prepared for any fire safety problems.
Joe Evers
