There are several other not-so-obvious sources of home fires. If you’re a pack rat, your home may be at greater risk for a potential fire. Take some time to clear your cellar, attic, and other storage areas of all potential hazards. These include improperly stored papers, newspapers, magazines, rags, holiday decorations, flammable liquids, etc. Use special caution with flammable liquids, which should not be kept anywhere near heat sources. Store them in safety containers kept outside the house and garage, if possible, preferably in a separate storage shed with proper ventilation. Never bring even a small quantity of gasoline indoors.
Electrical. Many people do not understand how the electrical wiring in their home works. Each circuit breaker connects to one or more of the wall plugs (outlets) and light switches in your home. Every circuit is designed to provide a specific amount of electricity (e.g., 20 amps). If a circuit has too many lights and appliances on at the same time—requiring more electricity than the circuit was designed to provide—the circuit will be overloaded and the breaker will "trip," turning off electricity to that circuit. Some rooms that use a lot of electricity, such as your kitchen, may have several circuits. In these cases the plugs on one wall could be on a different circuit from the plugs on another wall.
Be careful not to let your circuits overload, and be on the lookout for electrical hazards in your home and at work. Most electrical fires are preventable by simply paying attention to how you’re using electricity.
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Replace any extension cord that’s frayed or worn.
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Be careful not to place rugs, furniture or other objects directly on top of an electrical cord.
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Do not plug an excessive number of devices (e.g., multiple extension cords) into an electrical receptacle.
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Use only light bulbs with wattage appropriate for the fixture.
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Use electric blankets according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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If wall receptacles, electrical wiring or lighting fixtures are loose fitting or working improperly, have a licensed professional electrician repair them.
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If a circuit breaker trips, immediately turn off some of the appliances in use on that line. If you cannot move some devices to another circuit, and the circuit remains overloaded, call a licensed electrician to remedy the problem.
All electrical equipment should display a testing lab’s label, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), indicating testing and approval for safe use.
Clothes Dryer. When did you last pull your clothes dryer away from the wall to clean the areas behind and underneath it? When did you last clean the vent and exhaust hose of any accumulated dust and lint? Ideally, you should do this at least twice a year. The dryer’s lint basket, however, should be cleaned after every use. Also, make sure that your clothes dryer is vented to the outside, not inside the house. Never put plastic, rubber, foam, or any synthetic fabric into your dryer or leave your home while the clothes dryer is running.
Candles. Candles certainly can add ambience to a room and they are essential on a birthday cake; however, like any other open flame, they present a potential fire hazard. Use caution and common sense whenever you burn candles, and remember to:
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Never leave a burning candle unattended, even for a short time. Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or going to sleep.
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Keep all burning candles up high and out of reach of children and pets.
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Don’t allow children to keep or use candles in their rooms.
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Keep candles away from anything flammable such as curtains or paper products.
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Avoid putting candles in drafts to prevent rapid uneven burning and excessive dripping.
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Make sure that candles are placed on a sturdy piece of furniture, in a heat resistant holder that will not tip over.
