Practice Fire Safety and Avoid the Need for House Insurance Claims

A good way to avert disaster and avoid having to make an unwanted house insurance claim is to practice fire safety, especially with the winter heating season rapidly approaching.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, a variety of tips can be followed to make heating systems safer. For example, chimneys and wood stoves should both be inspected each year by a certified specialist, while fire-resistant materials should be used on the walls around wood stoves.

Also, the organization recommends using metal mesh screens with fireplaces to keep flaming debris from getting into a room, while stovepipe thermometers are another recommended fire safety feature.

Elsewhere, the Consumer Product Safety Commission advises homeowners to have chimneys regularly inspected for potentially flammable debris and to have all fuel-burning heating units inspected for safety, including the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Winter heating season is right around the corner, but with some careful steps, homeowners can minimize the likelihood of potential tragedy, property damage and the need to file a claim with their house insurance company.