![\"gas](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/gas_heater-300x169.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nWinter has arrived \u2014 a time of the year when people move indoors, light fires, turn on heaters and electric blankets, switch on ovens to prepare slow-roasted casseroles and soups, and hunker down in their homes for the colder months.\u00a0 Our electricity grid also takes more strain in winter, and it is a time when South Africans experience increased load-shedding \u2014 turning to candles and gas-powered lanterns to light the way.<\/p>\n
But, with these heating, lighting, and cooking sources comes an increased fire risk, and so it is especially important to\u00a0keep fire safety in mind\u00a0during winter. To help keep your home and family safe this winter, we’ve put together a list of a few crucial ways to make sure your home is secured against this type of risk. Here’s how to fireproof your home this winter:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Keeping your home warm in the winter months is non-negotiable. Fireplaces, heaters \u2014 both gas and electric \u2014 and electric blankets are all ways we stay warm. But these are also all high-risk activities that can cause a house fire. To stay safe, make sure that you:<\/p>\n
![\"fire](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Fire-Extinguisher-at-Home-300x182.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Also read:<\/strong>\u00a0Buyer\u2019s Guide: 3 Best First-Aid Kits<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Everyone loves a home-cooked meal in the winter months.\u00a0 It has been reported that the leading reason fires start in the kitchen is unattended cooking, and most fires involve the stovetop.\u00a0To stay safe when you are cooking:<\/p>\n If you use candles during load-shedding then be aware that they can be dangerous. Candles are basically just a mini open flame in the middle of your house. If you light one, keep these fire safety tips in mind:<\/p>\n Electricity has made our lives convenient in so many ways that it is easy to forget it can actually be hazardous if something goes wrong \u2013 such as faulty wiring. Stay out of harm\u2019s way by following these suggestions for home electrical safety:<\/p>\n The above list includes the most obvious fire hazards to watch out for, but is not always our obvious actions or sources that cause a fire. Here is a list of hazards in the home that many people might not consider:<\/p>\n Dust<\/strong><\/p>\n Seemingly innocent dust bunnies are fire hazards when they are close to light or heat sources. Make sure you keep your home clean to avoid dust build-ups.<\/p>\n Laptop computers<\/strong><\/p>\n It is important to always keep your laptop on a desk or table while it is on, and never on a couch or bed. If the vents meant to keep it cool are blocked, it can overheat and lead to a fire.<\/p>\n Toaster crumbs<\/strong><\/p>\n Be sure to clean out the inside of your toaster regularly. Hard, toasted breadcrumbs lying in the bottom of the toaster are extremely flammable and can set off a fire.<\/p>\n Paper<\/strong><\/p>\n Try to avoid stacks of paper in your home. Items like newspapers can catch fire if they are too close to a heat source.<\/p>\n Tumble dryer lint<\/strong><\/p>\n Lint in your tumble dryer is a high risk for fires. Make a habit of cleaning out the lint trap of your tumble dryer every time you use it.<\/p>\n Heated hair styling devices<\/strong><\/p>\n Left on too close to bathroom towels or clothing, while hot, these devices can start a fire that quickly moves to the rest of the house.<\/p>\n Vases<\/strong><\/p>\n An unusual risk that many people don\u2019t consider is a glass vase in a sunny window.\u00a0 It may look pretty, but it is a magnifying device. If the sun reflects off the glass and onto a curtain or couch, it could start a fire.<\/p>\n Luckily there are several things that you can do to add an extra layer of precaution against fires:<\/p>\n The first thing is to purchase a fire extinguisher \u2014 which is one of the most effective ways to fireproof your home. A fire extinguisher can quickly put out a fire before it rapidly spreads throughout your house. Keeping a fire extinguisher in an easy-to-reach place is important. Also ensure that you have your fire extinguishers serviced regularly so that they are in optimal working condition.<\/p>\n\n
Candles<\/h3>\n
![\"candles](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/candles-at-home-300x169.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n\n
Electrical<\/h3>\n
![\"plug](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/plugging-in-charger-300x200.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n\n
Additional fire hazards to watch out for<\/h3>\n
![\"fire](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/smoke-alarm2-300x192.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"ghd](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/ghd_rise2-300x218.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nFireproof your home<\/h3>\n
![\"fire](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/fire-extinguisher-in-the-house1-300x183.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"view](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Buttons_ViewOffers-300x57.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"fire](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/smoke-detector2-300x200.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n