The Professional Insurance Agents of New York State Inc. (PIANY) reminds homeowners and renters that with cold temperatures comes fire dangers. The trade association urges the public to take the time to review fire safety tips with their families so they will be prepared in the event of a fire emergency.
This includes making sure that your home is insured properly before an incident. Insurers generally recommend that people insure their home for its full replacement cost, which means it is insured under a home-owners policy for 100 percent of the cost of repairing or rebuilding it at the time it becomes necessary. If the homeowner purchases a guaranteed replacement cost endorsement, the full amount would be received to rebuild regardless of inflation.
PIANY suggests starting by keeping these general tips in mind:
•Every home should have working smoke detectors. Ideally, they should be placed on every floor and in every bedroom.
•Check all electrical appliances, cords and outlets. Make sure they are in good condition without loose or frayed cords or plugs.
•Do not run electrical cords under rugs.
•Don’t let lamps and/or night-lights touch bedspreads, curtains or other fabrics.
•Don’t leave the kitchen if the stove is in use. If you must leave the area, turn off the burners.
In winter, heating is often the cause of house fires. A primary danger is space heaters, especially the electric ones. “Because they are small, they may seem harmless,” Kubera says. “But placed close to furniture or curtains, they can be deadly.”
Never leave a space heater on when you are not in the room. Do not go to sleep with it on. Use it to warm the bedroom, but shut it off before you climb into bed, advises PIANY.
If you have a fireplace, have the chimney cleaned professionally at least once a year, and make sure they’re kept clean and covered with a screen to keep the sparks from flying out.
Most importantly, plan a “get out, stay out” fire drill plan, advised PIANY.
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