177844 Resource 149176 155860 149257 1186332959989 1186413459396 Controlled Home Based Business Office: Protecting Your Home and Business From Fire, Part 2

Fire safety tips and potential fire hazards that can mean disaster to your home, business and family

<p>In the first part of this series we outlined several areas of concern when it comes to fire hazards. Here are a few more items or features in your house that can be cause for concern:</p><p><strong>Large appliances</strong>. Not only do you need to regularly check the power cords from your washer and dryer, but you also need to pay close attention to your dryer exhaust hose. A clogged hose can cause a fire if it hasn&rsquo;t been regularly cleaned. About ever other year, you will need to remove the hose from the back of your dryer and gently clear out any accumulated lint. Consult your users manual for directions on how to detach your hose, or ask an appliance professional. You will also need to then reattach the hose and run the dryer empty to help blow out any remaining lint and confirm that the system is venting properly.</p><p><strong>Outdoor cooking devices.</strong> Every season you should make a point of cleaning your grill. This includes removing the grate and using a degreasing solution to clean it thoroughly. You will also need to clear gas jet holes. Your local home-improvement store should have appropriate cleaning products to help you with this task. And remember, when you use the grill, make sure it is not up against the house, and keep the grill clear of leaves or other flammable material that might ignite a spark.</p><p><strong>Chimneys.</strong> The rule of thumb is to have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected once every two years. This helps reduce the risk of carbon monoxide backups and creosote fires. If your furnace actually vents through a steel pipe rather than through your chimney, make sure an inspector checks out the top for animal nests and clogging before you start the furnace for the first time this fall.</p><p>Keeping your home safe is one thing. But when your home and business are one and the same, the potential for devastation and financial loss can be overwhelming. By taking extra safety precautions, you and your family will be able to rest, knowing you&rsquo;ve decreased your risk for fire.<br /></p> 10 application/xml business office disaster to your home fire hazards fire safety fire safety tips home based business home based business office protecting your home false Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1; .NET CLR 1.0.3705; Media Center PC 3.1; .NET CLR 1.1.4322) 127.0.0.1 127.0.0.1 mfmomper false true false false true 189572 false false true false false false true 149176 blog blogsite/FreedomVoice/web