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(603) 641-6555

Be Aware of These Home Heat Sources for Fire and Smoke Damage Prevention

Written by jsolloway on . Posted in , , .

A fire can develop and spread very quickly in a home.  Many homeowners may be putting their home at risk through everyday actions and not even realize it.  In some cases the fire and smoke damage could have been prevented if the homeowner was aware of heat sources in the home that could be increasing their risk. 

As an informed homeowner, you can take the necessary precautions to prevent a fire in your home and the resulting damage that goes along with this.  The following are heat sources that you should be aware of, practicing care and vigilance.

Clear space away from space heaters, fireplaces and stoves. 

Never keep paper, clothing, rugs or other flammable items near these types of heat sources.  All items should be kept a minimum of three feet away to prevent these from igniting.

Never leave portable heaters and fireplaces unattended.

 These can be a great source of heat for your home in the winter, but they can also increase your risk of a fire in the home.  Never leave these heat sources unattended, and always unplug portable heaters when going to bed, make sure that fires are all extinguished completely.

Install a glass or metal screen in the fireplace.

 This barrier will ensure that the fire stays in the fireplace.  A screen will reduce the risk of a spark igniting outside of the fireplace or a rolling log catching other areas of the home.

Inspect fireplaces and chimneys annually

Prior to using the fireplace each year, have a professional inspect the chimney.  This will ensure that the flue is running and no animals have made nests in the chimney when it wasn’t in use.  A professional can also inspect the area for structural damage and air leaks.

Give space around the hot water heater

Like any other heat source, you should have plenty of open space surrounding the hot water heater.  The unit can heat up to very high temperatures, which can cause flammable objects left too close to ignite.

Invest in a space heater with automatic shut-off.

 Newer models of space heaters have an emergency cut-off that will shut the unit off if it is accidentally knocked over.  This added security feature can make a big difference in the risk of a fire in your home.

Do not heat your home with an oven

Ovens were not designed to be on for extended period of times and should never be used as the primary source for supplying heat to a home.

Being aware of the many heat sources in your home and taking extra precautions around these areas, can go a long way to preventing a fire. 

If a fire does strike your residence, the team at Soil-Away is available 24/7 to address any smoke or fire damage, restoring your home.  Call Soil-Away at 603-641-6555.

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Jay KorsenJay Korsen
00:51 04 Aug 22
All I have to say is WOW and FANTASTIC. I just got done building out my new professional office with Soil-Away’s construction division and they went ABOVE and BEYOND. Scott and Mike, the carpenters are skilled artisans. The project got done on time and the project came in on budget! The finished results have been blowing people away. Much better than I could have anticipated. Anyone is welcome to come to our office, Bright Light Chiropractic in Hooksett to check out the fine work they did. Simply can’t sing enough praises for them. Sorry that the picture doesn’t do the job justice. Thank you Jack and your team. -Dr. Jay
Asian BreezeAsian Breeze
04:28 15 Jul 22
Since day one, I’ve known the owner, Jack, to be a hard-working and selfless leader. Through the efforts of him and his team, he was able to restore my flooded restaurant to tip-top shape. I was amazed with Jack’s orderliness throughout the entire process. Jack has proven to me that he is trustworthy, as both a friend and an individual in the work environment.
Breton LangendorferBreton Langendorfer
21:17 07 Jul 22
Highly recommend Soil-Away. A pipe in our upstairs bathroom gave and sent water down through a wall for at least a day before we noticed water dripping through our kitchen ceiling. Our insurance put us in touch with Soil-Away and they were at our house the next morning to assess the damage and dry things out. Joe, Ray and Tom were phenomenal to work with. They explained every part of the process to us and were very professional and friendly. If you have to deal with similar issues call Soil-Away, you won’t regret it.
Maureen CidzikMaureen Cidzik
13:49 15 May 22
Superior service from start to finish. Highly responsive. The entire team is dedicated to quality and customer care and it shows in everything they do – from first call, to estimate, to job completion.
Sarah GrugnaleSarah Grugnale
16:02 14 Jan 22
Joe and Tommy were amazing to deal with, they kept us updated every step of the process. They were punctual and hard working, answering all of our questions that we had. Everything was done as promised and even above and beyond. A great experience from start to finish.
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