Fire Prevention Month is October, but did you know why the month of ghosts and ghouls was designated to educate and inform about fire safety? According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 1925 President Coolidge designated this fall month as Fire Safety Month in order to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire which began on October 8, 1871. What began as a lantern accidentally knocked over in a barn, turned into $200 million in utter devastation to the Windy City.
Fires can take just seconds to start, yet the damage and recovery efforts can last much longer. Oftentimes we feel safe if we have smoke alarms installed and an extinguisher on hand. While these are particularly important to damage prevention, some easy fixes can sometimes be overlooked. Take a look at this list of unexpected places fires have started:
· Dryer lint traps – extreme buildup of lint can cause a heating element to ignite.
· Overloaded extension cords – if overloaded they can ignite carpet or curtains.
· A dirty stove – grease buildup can ignite a kitchen fire quickly.
· Sawdust – can be highly flammable, if left in a garage a small spark can ignite.
· Vintage light fixtures – old wiring can become dry and brittle, vulnerable to fire.
· 9-volt batteries – in junk drawers they act as a lit match if change or metal rubs up against.
· Laptops – check yours for an automatic shutdown option, running batteries can ignite bedding.
While this list is not comprehensive, we hope that it helps you to think about areas in your home, or normal everyday habits that you may not have before. Fire safety is something that is important to us at Martin & Martin Insurance. Not only do we work passionately to protect your assets, but we also have family members who are second and third generation first responders. Call us today to help protect your hard work and investments!