Staying Safe and Warm This Winter

1/3/2025 (Permalink)

The winter season is fully underway for the Sumter community! While we are fortunate to avoid the harshest winter conditions, like heavy snow and subzero temperatures, we still face occasional freezing weather and ice storms.

With these cold conditions, it’s no surprise that many of us spend more time indoors, cozying up near fireplaces or space heaters as we wait for warmer weather. However, this is also when the risk of house fires tends to increase.

Our SERVPRO of Sumter team shares some helpful tips to help you stay safe and warm this winter. Read on for advice on how to protect your home and family.

Fireplace Prep for the Season

A crackling fire in your hearth is a wonderful way to add warmth and ambiance to your home, but indoor fires can be dangerous without proper maintenance. Be sure to clean out leftover ash before starting each new fire, and at the start of each season, have your chimney thoroughly cleaned to remove creosote buildup.

Make sure to keep flammable materials away from your mantle and fireplace, and check your smoke detectors every month to ensure they’re working properly. If you have an electric or gas fireplace, inspect the connections regularly to check for potential gas leaks or faulty wiring.

Space Heater Safety Tips

While fireplaces provide plenty of heat, sometimes a simple space heater is all you need to warm up a room or your feet. Unfortunately, space heaters are involved in around 1,700 house fires every year.

To prevent space heater fires, always place the heater on a hard, nonflammable surface. Since they can easily tip over, choose a location away from high-traffic areas, and ensure the cord lies flat on the ground.

Create a three-foot safety zone around your heater to keep children and pets at a safe distance, and make sure it’s placed far from curtains or other flammable objects. Never plug your space heater into an outlet extender or extension cord, and always ensure someone is responsible for turning it off before bedtime.

Additional Fire Safety Measures

Safety should always be your number one priority when using fire or heat in your home. When purchasing a space heater or fireplace supplies, make sure to do your research.

Choose products from reputable companies that have passed necessary safety certifications, and take time to read customer reviews—both positive and negative. Look for heaters with added safety features, such as emergency shutoff switches that automatically turn off the heater after a certain period.

Before using any heater, visually inspect it. It should be sturdy, well-constructed, and come with a long enough cord to safely place it in the center of a room.

Have a safe and enjoyable winter! If you experience fire damage this season, call SERVPRO of Sumter for fast, reliable restoration. We’ll remove soot, smoke, and debris with precision and restore your home with confidence.

Don’t wait! A quick fire damage restoration is just a phone call away. Call SERVPRO® for immediate assistance.