According to the NFPA and James McMullen Fire Expert, the proper way to dispose of ashes is to place them in a fire-resistant container and cover the container with a lid. Keep the container outdoors and away from combustibles. Dispose of ashes carefully, keeping them away from dry leaves, trash or other combustible materials.

It’s a common mistake to assume ashes are cool once the fire is out and can then be put in the trash, but ashes and embers can smolder for hours, even several days and ignite nearby leaves and debris, melting or catching fire to improper containers and surroundings.

These simple steps can help avoid a fire disaster in your home:

Always:

- Give ashes adequate time to cool completely in the fireplace before removing.

-  Scoop ashes with a metal shovel and store in a metal container with a tight fitting lid.

-  Keep metal containers off decks, porches and out of garages and well away from structures.

-  Soak ashes in water before replacing the lid.

Never:

x   Store ashes in plastic garbage cans or containers, paper or plastic bags, or cardboard boxes.

x   Remove ashes or embers while hot.

x   Store other combustibles in the same container.

We’ve put together some best practices recommended by fire experts at the U.S. Fire Administration and the NFPA to help keep you warm, toasty and safe during the remaining winter months.

SPACE HEATERS

Space heaters account for 32% of home heating fires. Items too close to the heater can easily ignite, so it’s important to keep at least 3ft of clear space. Overloading circuits and daisy chaining cords and powers strips can cause a short or spark, be sure you plug the heater into a proper outlet. Also, avoid areas that come into contact with water such as bathrooms and kitchens.

STOVES / FIREPLACES

53% of home heating deaths come from items too close to a heat source. Sparks from an open fireplace can easily ignite flammable surfaces, upholstery, furniture, clothing and more. A minimum 36” of clearance is recommended as well as the use of a glass or metal fire screen in front of the fireplace of stove opening. Do not use accelerants to start a fire, excessive amounts of paper or more than one synthetic log at a time can create a chimney fire.

OTHER TIPS

 - Charcoal produces high levels of carbon monoxide and should never be used in a stove, fireplace or anywhere indoors.

 - Never use an oven to heat your home.

 - 26% of home heating fires are caused by failure to clean solid-fueled heating equipment. Have your heating equipment and furnace inspected regularly by a professional. Not only can this help keep your home safe, it can help to save on heating costs as well.

 - Never go to sleep until fires are out.

Winter home heating fires are preventable; the key is common sense and knowing how to safely heat your home. For additional resources please visit the NFPA and the USFA websites.

The Holidays are upon us and with the added lights and decorations there is often a shortage of available outlets.   While it can be tempting and seem convenient, daisy chaining is a dangerous option that can lead to shock or fire.

What is daisy chaining?
Daisy chaining is the connection of 2 or more extension cords, power strips or combination, to gain additional outlets and /or length.

Why it is dangerous:
Extension cords are one of the top electrical fire causes and according to the CPSC, an estimated 3,300 residential fires originate from extension cords each year, killing and injuring over 300 people.

The Office of Compliance reports that daisy chaining is one of the most common violations found during safety inspections.   The danger comes from improper use, overloading and short circuiting which can result in fire.  Often the load of the devices is much greater than what the power strip or outlet can support.

Following these Safety Practices can reduce the risk for electrical fire in your home or office:

• Extension cords are meant for temporary use only, if a there is a permanent need, have additional outlets installed by a licensed electrician.

• Only use surge protectors that have circuit breakers or power strips with built in overload protection.  Power strips without internal fuses are the equivalent of a regular extension cord.

• Check power strips and extension cords for nationally recognized testing lab certification and make sure the rating is for the same or higher number of watts used.

• Do not place against furniture, in hallways or under carpets.

• Do not plug more than one power strip or surge protector into the same outlet.

• Only use extension cords marked for ‘Outdoor Use’ outdoors and keep clear of standing water.

An x-ray can tell fire investigators where the fire began.

The holiday season is also peak season for home fires.  For more tips on how to keep your home and office safe visit the National Fire Protection Association Website.

According to the NFPA, (National Fire Protection Association) from 2005 – 2009 Christmas trees started an average of 240 home fires per year.  Of those reported; a death occurred in every 18 of those fires.  It’s not all because of the trees, other holiday fire causes include; lit candles, decorations, wrapping paper and electrical overloads to name a few.

Fortunately, keeping these tips in mind can help keep your holidays safe and festive:

Water, Water, Water!  Check the water level of your tree daily at a minimum.  In the video below you’ll see how quickly the dry tree becomes engulfed in flames, just under 30 seconds.

Create Space.  Place your tree and any decorations at least 3ft from a heat source.  Be sure the tree does not block door or entryways.  Keep candles away from vegetation, paper and other decorations.

Check lights.  Look for cracks, crimps, frayed spots or signs of wear.  Limit connecting lights to no more than 3 strands and be sure the lights you are using are UL approved.

Metal Trees.  Placing lights on a metal tree can create a charge and serious shock, not to mention cause the lights to short and ignite.

Update to the latest.  LED’s are not only energy efficient and save money; they also do not produce the heat that traditional lights do, making them safer and last much longer.  Many Municipalities have conducted trade in programs, exchanging LED’s for old lighting.  Check with your local area to see if there is a program near you.

Lights Out.  Unplug lights and extinguish candles before going to sleep or when leaving your home.

Clean up.  Take your tree down and dispose of it promptly. Don’t try burning branches in the fireplace, sparks and embers can be very dangerous.  Utility companies typically have dedicated pickup days and free drop off locations for recycling.

Get out.  Lastly, if you don’t have one already, make an escape plan.  It takes only minutes for a room to become engulfed in flames.   Everyone in your home should know how to exit in case of a fire and where to meet.

These may be common sense points, but with the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s easy to forget to stop and put safety first.

Our goal with the redesign was not only to update the look, but to make it simple for our visitors to find simple navigation to find exactly what they need, while providing useful information that you may not have already known about us.

For example, did you know that we have expertise in combustible materials and spontaneous combustion? Or how about the fact that James McMullen is a Court Qualified Expert witness in several fields including Fire and Building Codes, Window Safety, Wildfires, Product Safety as well as Fire Cause Origin and Spread.  We also have several Senior Associates with varying backgrounds in fire and safety areas.

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