Your home is one of the most valuable and cherished assets you own. It’s not just a mere structure, but a place filled with memories and loved ones. So it goes without saying that keeping your home safe should be a top priority.

Unfortunately, most homeowners only think about safety measures when faced with an emergency or after experiencing a traumatic event. But by then, it’s too late. That’s why it’s crucial to take preventative measures to protect your home and loved ones from potential risks.

In this blog, we’ll discuss three critical aspects of home safety — namely fire prevention, dryer vent cleaning, and carbon monoxide awareness. These are often overlooked but can have severe consequences if neglected.

Fire Prevention: Identifying Household Fire Risks

Did you know that household fires are one of the leading causes of property damage and injuries? An average of 340,000 homes experience a fire each year! These fires result in billions of dollars in property damage and over 2,600 deaths. Scary, right?

But the good news is that most household fires are preventable. By identifying and addressing potential fire hazards in your home, you can definitely reduce the risk of a fire occurring.

Common household fire risks include:

Electrical Issues

Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and old appliances can all increase the risk of an electrical fire. It’s essential to have a licensed electrician regularly inspect your home’s electrical system and address any potential hazards.

Cooking Accidents

Did you know that cooking fires are the leading cause of household fires? Unattended stovetops, grease buildup, and flammable objects near the stove can all lead to kitchen fires.

Even the best chefs can have accidents, so make sure to have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and never leave cooking unattended.

Heating System Malfunctions

Even here in the sunny Southern states, we rely on our heating systems during the winter months. But if your heating system isn’t properly maintained, it can become a fire hazard.

Make sure to have your furnace and chimney inspected regularly, and never leave space heaters running if you aren’t nearby to monitor it.

Carbon monoxide leaks from faulty heating systems can also be a danger, which brings us to our next topic — carbon monoxide safety.

Carbon Monoxide Leaks

You may have heard of carbon monoxide (CO) and know it’s dangerous, but do you know why? This colorless, odorless gas is known as the “silent killer” because it’s virtually impossible to detect without specialized equipment.

CO is produced when fuels such as gas, oil, or wood are burned. When these fuels aren’t burned completely, CO can enter your home and cause severe health problems or even death.

You won’t smell it, taste it, or see it, but you can prevent it (and we’ll dig into that in just a bit).

Clogged Dryer Vents

Did you know that nearly 16,000 home fires are caused by clothes dryers each year on average? Most of these fires are due to lint buildup in the dryer’s vent. This highly flammable material can ignite and cause a fire if it isn’t cleaned out regularly.

Cleaning your dryer vent doesn’t just prevent fires, but it also improves the efficiency of your dryer and saves you money on energy bills (and who doesn’t want that?).

Now, there are countless other potential household fire risks like candles, smoking materials, children playing with matches, and even Christmas trees can be household fire risks…

But the key takeaway here is that by being aware of these risks and taking measures to address them, you can significantly reduce your home’s fire risk.

Fire Safety Tips for Homeowners

You don’t have to be a firefighter to keep your home and loved ones safe. Here are some simple life-saving tips to help you avoid house fires altogether:

• Test your smoke alarms regularly (at least once a month) and replace batteries at least once a year.
• Have an emergency fire escape plan in place and make sure everyone in the family knows it.
• Keep a fire extinguisher on each floor of your home, especially in the kitchen and near fireplaces.
• Keep flammable objects away from heat sources (for example, curtains near a space heater).
• Never leave the kitchen while cooking.
• Have your heating system and chimney inspected annually at minimum.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors.
• Have your dryer vent cleaned at least once a year.
• Never overload electrical outlets, and regularly check for frayed wires or cords.

These may seem like common sense tips, but most homeowners overlook them in the midst of life’s busy schedule. But it’s crucial to make fire safety a priority and incorporate it into your regular maintenance checklist.

Now – in our professional opinion – dryer vents and carbon monoxide are two of the most overlooked areas when it comes to fire prevention. So below, we’ll dive deeper into these topics and provide some practical tips to help you safeguard your home.

Dryer Vent Cleaning

As we mentioned earlier, clogged dryer vents are a significant fire risk in households. But why do they get clogged in the first place? Lint.

As your clothes dry, small fibers and debris break off and collect in the lint trap. While most homeowners know to clean that out regularly, many don’t realize that lint also builds up in the dryer vent. And since that vent is often hidden behind walls, it can be hard to access and easy to forget about.

Over time, the buildup of lint restricts airflow and can cause your dryer to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire. Regular dryer vent cleaning prevents this from happening.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dryer Vent?

At Lee Company, we recommend having your dryer vent cleaned at least once a year. However, if you have a large household with multiple loads of laundry per week, you may need to clean it more frequently.

Signs That Your Dryer Vent Needs Cleaning

How do you know if your dryer vent needs cleaning? Here are some red flags to watch out for:

• Clothes take longer to dry than usual.
• A burning smell coming from the dryer.
• Excessive lint buildup on the outside vent cover.
• The top of your dryer feels extremely hot to the touch.
• Clothes smell musty after being in the dryer.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to clean your dryer vent!

How to Do Dryer Vent Cleaning

So since your dryer vent is often hidden away, how do you go about cleaning it? If you’re comfortable with DIY projects, here are some simple steps you can follow:

1. Unplug your dryer and pull it away from the wall.
2. Put on eye protection and a dust mask.
3. Disconnect the vent from the back of the machine.
4. Use a shop vacuum to pull any lint or debris from the mouth of the vent.
5. Use a dryer vent brush or a long-handled brush to push any remaining lint out of the vent and into the access point.
6. Clean the lint screen thoroughly.
7. Reconnect the vent and push the dryer back into place.

If your dryer vent is longer than a few feet or has multiple bends, a shop vacuum and dryer vent brush might not cut it.

Some people recommend using a leaf blower to clean the dryer vent, but this can actually push lint further into the vent where it can’t be reached, creating a clog. Or it can damage your vent all together.

So in these cases, it’s best to call in a professional for dryer vent cleaning service, like Lee Company.

Carbon Monoxide Safety

Now, let’s get back to carbon monoxide safety. We’ve already covered what CO is and how dangerous it is, but what can you do to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your home?

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The first line of defense against CO poisoning is having functioning carbon monoxide detectors in your home. These devices detect the presence of CO and alert you with a loud alarm.

But it’s not enough just to have one or two detectors in your home. The National Fire Protection Association Carbon Monoxide recommendations include having a detector on each level of your home and near all sleeping areas.

How Often to Test Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Just like smoke alarms, you should test your carbon monoxide detectors monthly and replace batteries at least once a year.

To stay on top of this crucial task, you can sign up for smoke alarm reminders, and then check your CO detectors while you’re at it.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips for Homeowners

Aside from having functioning carbon monoxide detectors, here are some other tips to help prevent CO poisoning in your home:

• Have your heating system inspected annually by a professional.
• Never use gas-powered equipment or vehicles inside your home or garage.
• If you use a wood-burning stove or fireplace, make sure it’s properly vented and have it inspected annually.
• Make sure all your household appliances are installed correctly and regularly maintained.

How Do I Know If I Have CO Poisoning?

Since CO is invisible and odorless, how do you know if you’ve been exposed? You’ll feel like you have a really bad flu:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion or loss of consciousness
• Chest pain

If you experience these symptoms, get fresh air immediately and contact your doctor. Then, call a professional to inspect your home for CO levels.

How Long Does CO Poisoning Take?

The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the levels of CO present in the air and how long you are exposed. But we have to stress that even low levels of CO can negatively affect your health over time. So don’t take any chances when it comes to carbon monoxide safety!

Home Heating System Safety to Prevent CO Poisoning

As we mentioned earlier, having your heating system regularly inspected and maintained is good practice for preventing CO poisoning. A professional heating contractor can check for any leaks or damage that could lead to the release of CO into your home.

And if you tend to rely on a space heater to keep warm in the winter, be extra cautious. Make sure to keep it at least three feet away from any flammable materials and never leave it unattended.

Keep Up on Your Regular Maintenance Checklist With Lee Company

While your individual actions can certainly reduce household fire risks, you’re only one person. A comprehensive approach to home maintenance ensures that no stone is left unturned — and it takes a lot of the weight off your shoulders!

For homeowners in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Georgia, Lee Company offers an affordable solution. Our Home Maintenance Plan includes annual inspections of your heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems, to make sure your home is safe and sound year-round.

Plan members also benefit from discounts on service calls, parts, labor, and new installations. Plus, you get priority service without any emergency service rates!

So don’t wait until a disaster strikes, and don’t rely on your own DIY skills to keep your home safe. Trust Lee Company’s 8 decades of expertise to give you peace of mind. Invest in a Home Maintenance Plan today.