Let’s say you’ve chosen this weekend to catch up on your spring cleaning. Don’t forget to clean out your attic! After a long winter, you’ll probably need to take stuff down from up there. If you are, be mindful of any potential fire hazards. It’s time to find out how an attic fire starts.
It’s time to find out how an attic fire starts.
Electrical Problems
If you’re worried about the possibility of an attic fire, then consider the likelihood of electrical problems. Electrical issues can start a fire anywhere in your home, but they are potentially worse in the confined space of an attic or crawlspace. Here is what you can do to prevent a fire due to electrical problems:
- Avoid plugging too many cords into one electrical outlet or power strip.
- Don’t misuse any electronics you have plugged in up in the attic.
- Have a licensed and certified electrician come to inspect the wiring.
- Unplug any appliances or electronics you’ve been using before you exit the attic, and don’t forget to turn out the lights either.
Squirrels, raccoons, and other unwanted visitors can also chew through your wiring, so keep an eye out for them too.
Heater Issues
Attics tend to already be hot spaces due to how warm air rises. Even so, your home’s heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) unit might cause an attic fire. Make sure the vents are cleaned out, and it is working as it should. If too much lint or other debris builds up in the ductwork, the heat and friction could start a fire as well.
Mother Nature
Another possible cause of an attic fire is out of your control. More than likely, there’s no much you can to prevent mother nature from wreaking havoc on your house. That said, you can always prepare by updating your insurance and maintaining your landscape so that trees won’t fall over and damage your roof or attic.
Spring thunderstorms are no joke, and summer storms will be even more powerful, so you’ll have to prepare for power surges caused by lightning strikes. If your roof has a leak in it, get that patched up as soon as possible, since water dripping into your attic can ruin the electrical components inside and cause a secondary fire.
Commercial and Residential Fire Prevention from Judd Fire Protection
If you want to ensure your home and business are safe throughout the year, trust Judd Fire Protection, LLC. We have more than twenty years of experience in designing, installing, inspecting, and repairing residential and commercial fire protection systems. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. If you are interested in finding out more about our services and protecting your home and business, give us a call at 410-871-3480 or contact us online. For more fire safety tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.