Playing with fire is not a joke. Every summer we hear about tragic bushfires and people’s homes getting eaten by the flames. It’s such a powerful and dangerous force of nature that is hard to control. What is even worse, it can be really unexpected.
You may be surprised which things in your house are flammable or can cause a fire. But a safety tip expert on TikTok can help you with that. She made a series on fire safety tips and we would like to draw your attention to the videos in which Cathy Pedrayes explains what can cause a fire in your house that you should be aware of.
Image credits: cathypedrayes
#1 Dryer
Almost 3000 fires happen every year and it’s usually started by dust, fiber or lint. So here’s some tips. Don’t use a dryer without a filter, clean the filter and don’t forget to clean behind the dryer, including vent.
Image source: cathypedrayes
#2 Dust
Letting dust build up in vents and behind the electronics.
Image source: cathypedrayes
#3 Pets
1000 fires a year are started by pets. Candles, fireplaces and chewed wires are a risk but the number one cause of house fires started by pets is the stove. If your pet accidentally turns the knob, it can start a fire but you can buy stove knob covers and don’t let your pets get into the habit of climbing on the stove.
Image source: cathypedrayes
#4 Christmas Tree
One in five Christmas tree fires start because they’re too close to a heat source like a radiator or a fireplace. So, make sure your tree isn’t close to those things. Also don’t use lights that have frayed wiring, you already know about unattended candles and if you have a real tree make sure you water it, because dry trees are fire hazards.
Image source: cathypedrayes
#5 Batteries
Leaving 9 volt batteries loose in a drawer where they can short circuit. Put electrical tape over the post to prevent a fire.
Image source: cathypedrayes
#6 Rangehoods
Grease can build up and clog the filter making it a fire hazard. Kitchen fires are the most common type of fire in the United States. So clean these monthly.
Image source: cathypedrayes
#7 Toaster
If crumbs are touching the heat source it can start a fire.
Image source: cathypedrayes
#8 Extension Cords
I’m sure you know not to overload it or plug them into one another, but also don’t hide them under a rug, it prevents the cord from releasing heat which could cause a fire. Don’t staple them, nail them and don’t use them with space heaters. About 3300 fires happen every year because of extension cords.
Image source: cathypedrayes
#9 Bathroom Exhaust Fan
In older homes there’s no safety shutoff so the fan can overheat if it’s not clean.
Image source: cathypedrayes
#10 Flour
Flour suspended in the air with the right conditions is explosive.
Image source: cathypedrayes
#11 Light Bulbs
Using bulbs with wattage that’s too high for the light.
Image source: cathypedrayes
#12 Ping Pong Balls
They’re made of celluloid, which is extremely flammable, so it is important to keep them away from fire.
Image source: cathypedrayes
#13 Newspapers
In the right conditions, newspapers can spontaneously combust and they don’t even need to be near a heat source. If they’re piled up and damp or wet. Heat can build up within the newspapers because of biological activity. It’s science, but it can combust. Over 14,000 fires happen every year because of spontaneous combustion and the newspaper pile is a risk.
Image source: cathypedrayes
#14 Oranges
They contain limonene, so if you dry orange peels you can use it to start a fire. And you should be also careful with them as they won’t burst into flames by themselves, but they are flammable.
Image source: cathypedrayes
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