Fire Safety During COVID-19

Mr Restore hopes that you are staying safe and healthy while we continue with social distancing. With most Texans at home during this time, we hope that you are also cautious of home fire safety.  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the leading year-round causes of home fires are: 

• Cooking
• Heating
• Electrical equipment 

Because people are spending more time at home, they are engaging in activities that add to the home fire problem. It’s important to recognize what the potential hazards are and how to prevent them. Preventing fires during this uncertain time will help keep everyone safe and prevent thousands of dollars in fire damage. 

Biggest Causes of Home Fires

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in Dallas/ Fort Worth area. It is responsible for nearly half of all reported home fires, with unattended cooking as the leading cause of home cooking fires. So, if you are not keeping a close eye on what you’re cooking, you are more likely to have a home fire. 

With COVID-19, there’s a high risk for distracted cooking since many households are now dealing with out-of-the-ordinary circumstances. For example, the kids are out of school and the parents are working from home.

The second highest cause of home fires is heating equipment, causing an average of 52,050 home fires each year. Heating systems are still in use in a large part of the country this time of year. Since most people are at home, these heating systems are being used for more hours than usual. 

Finally, electrical outlets are the third-highest cause for home fires. Now that many people working and schooling from home, there is the likelihood of many individuals using the same outlets to charge: 

• Phones 
• Laptops
• Other digital equipment

Tips to Keep in Mind

The NFPA recommends that you use best fire-safe practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond:

Cooking and Grilling Outdoors 

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking. Turn off the stove or other cooking appliances if you leave the kitchen for any amount of time
• Use a timer so you don’t forget that you have something on the stove or in the oven
• Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop
• Be sure the smoke detector near the kitchen is working properly
• Turn all handles inward so that someone can’t accidentally tip over a hot pan
• Refrain from cooking if you are tired or not feeling well 
• Have a “kid-free zone” of at least three-feet around the stove or grill 
• Grill outside and away from any structures. ...
• Make sure your grill is stable and clean 
• Do not wear loose fitting clothing

Electrical

• Charge phones and other digital devices with the appropriate cords
• When charging digital devices, do not cover them with a pillow or charge on flammable surfaces such as the bed or couch.
• Don’t overload outlets, especially with appliances that produce heat, such as coffee-makers or toasters 
• Plug major appliances directly into a dedicated wall outlet
• Never string electrical cords across doorways or under carpets 
• Use a light bulb with the correct number of watts. 
• Smoke alarms should be located on every level of the home and near/in bedrooms
• Test your smoke alarms every month to ensure they’re working
• Develop and practice a home escape plan so everyone knows what to do in a fire.

Mr. Restore remains committed to supporting you as we navigate the evolving situation with COVID-19. We want to provide you with the resources you need to minimize your risk and help prevent losses and injuries. Please contact Mr Restore immediately for any questions and concerns you have about COVID-19 or if your property suffers from fire and water damage.