How To Protect Your Property From Cigarette Fires

2/26/2022 (Permalink)

Cigarettes continue to cause a high number of house fires each year.

How To Keep Your Home Safe From Cigarette Fire

Cigarettes continue to cause a high number of house fires each year, even though the number of smokers has dropped dramatically. Here are five easy ways to keep your property and loved ones safe from a cigarette fire.

1. Keep Lighters Away From Children

Kids, especially very young ones, may be completely unaware of the dangers of playing with fire. Make sure that cigarettes, lighters and matches are stored out of reach of children. Educate youth about fire safety.

2. Don’t Allow Smoking Indoors

Many objects and items in your home are highly flammable, including books, upholstery, curtains and carpets. To avoid the risk of starting a blaze from a spark due to a lit cigarette or hot ashes, make it a rule that smoking must be done outside of the house.

3. Never Smoke When Tired

If you smoke when you’re drowsy, you put yourself at risk of falling asleep and starting a cigarette fire. Even if you don’t feel sleepy, do not smoke while reclining or lounging to reduce the chances of dozing off with a lit cigarette in your hand. Always avoid smoking in bed.

4. Use Proper Ashtrays

Remember to use sturdy ashtrays when smoking, and fill them with sand if possible. Douse ashes and cigarette butts with water before emptying them into the trashcan to reduce the chances of an ashtray fire. Never extinguish cigarettes in vegetation, such as grass or leaves that could be dry and may present a fire hazard.

5. Avoid Smoking Near Medical Oxygen

Oxygen tanks are extremely flammable, and smoking around them could cause them to combust. Likewise, avoid lighting up around any chemical that may start a blaze.

Taking these precautions can keep your home in Kennesaw, GA, safe from a dangerous cigarette fire. If you need assistance or have questions about fire cleanup, reach out to a fire restoration company for help.