No one wants to run the risk of a fire hazard, but what causes it? We have listed a number of things so that you can pay attention to them.
Prevent fire hazard
Preventing a fire does not have to be difficult: it is often small things that can cause a fire, and you can certainly do something about it. With these tips you can prevent the risk of a house fire.
1. The dryer
Of all household appliances, the dryer is the most dangerous when it comes to fire. The lint that comes off clothes and fabrics floats around in the machine and can quickly catch fire due to the warm air of the dryer. By cleaning the fluff filter after each service, the risk of a house fire is reduced. It is also better to only turn on the dryer when you are at home and not sleeping, just in case.
2. The chimney
Do you have a chimney? This must be thoroughly cleaned at least once a year to prevent fire hazards. There are more than 2,000 chimney fires every year due to improper combustion or a polluted duct. Have the chimney flue swept by a professional to empty and clean a clogged or polluted flue. Also only light a fire with dry and untreated wood, and pay close attention to the color of the smoke: the less color, the better.
3. Charge phone
According to the fire brigade, charging the phone at night is not a good idea: the battery of the phone can overheat if the charger is plugged in for too long. If you charge your phone during the day, the plug will be plugged in for less time and the battery will overheat less quickly. It is also preferable to use a charger from the brand that comes with the phone: the cheaper alternatives can sometimes be less safe.
4. The meter cupboard
The meter cupboard is often used as a storage place for all kinds of things: modems, routers and sometimes even bags and umbrellas. It is better to move these items to another place, because a fully built-in meter cupboard ensures that the appliances cannot dissipate their heat. This is a risk of fire hazard. Give the unnecessary items a different place and let the meter cupboard ‘breathe’.
5. Devices on standby
Consider how often you really turn off the appliances in your home, and not just put them on standby mode. The parts remain warm when the device is on standby. And it can also happen that such a device collects a bit of dust because it is always on standby, but dust and heat are a good combination: together they create a fire hazard. Therefore, choose to turn off all devices when you are not using them. Appliances that are on day and night also consume a lot of energy, so it is also useful to turn them off to reduce energy costs.
