24-05-2025
Four helpful fire prevention tips to avoid burning down your house this summer
Cleaning a few key areas in your home can help prevent fires, according to the Ohio State Fire Marshal.
To help reduce the risks of summer fires, Ohioans can take time to remove clutter and debris from inside and outside their homes and properly maintain common fire-causing appliances, the state agency said in a news release.
'Keeping fire prevention and safety in mind during your spring-cleaning routine can go a long way in keeping your home and loved ones safe,' State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said in the release. 'By adding some simple items to your to-do list, such as reducing clutter, clearing debris, and properly maintaining appliances, you can help prevent fires from occurring in and around your home.'
Clothes dryers are a major cause of fires in the U.S. According to the National Fire Protection Association, about 13,820 fires start this way each year.
To prevent these fires, homeowners should ensure their dryer's exhaust pipe provides a clear path outside, the State Fire Marshal said. They should also ensure the vent flap opens properly when running the dryer.
Don't store flammable items like boxes and cleaning supplies near the dryer.
Clothes wet with flammable substances like gasoline should be dried outside before washing and drying in your machines.
Excessive items and clutter can block exits and worsen fires, posing risks to residents and first responders alike, the State Fire Marshal said.
People should assess their homes and those of their family members to ensure clutter isn't restricting their movement through the home. Hallways and doorways, especially those that lead outside, should be clear and easy to access.
Items should be kept at least three feet from all heat sources, including water heaters and furnaces.
About 3-5% of the population suffers from compulsive hoarding, a psychological condition in which people suffer from strong urges to keep items or distress when discarding them, potentially putting themselves and others at risk in case of a fire, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The U.S. Fire Administration has tips for speaking to loved ones about compulsive hoarding for friends and family.
If embers from a bonfire, grill or other source ignite flammable materials like leaves and pine needles near a home, the home could catch fire, the State Fire Marshal said. Therefore, residents should clear them from roofs, gutters and under decks.
Residents should also remove dead vegetation within five feet of their homes and dispose of branches, leaves and grass clippings appropriately.
Construction materials, trash and woodpiles should be stored at least 30 feet from a residence.
People should regularly inspect their grills to make sure they are free of grease and fat buildups, which could ignite, the State Fire Marshal said. People should also clean out any nests, spiderwebs and other debris from inside the grill.
Before grilling with propane and natural gas, people should check the gas hose for leaks.
Gasoline should only be used as motor fuel, and equipment like lawn mowers, and it should be stored in an approved container for storing gasoline, according to the news release.
Storage containers should have a tight cap so they don't spill when they aren't in use.
Public Safety Reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State fire Marshal: Avoid house fires with these 4 safety tips
