Home Hazards: Basement

Basement fire dangers can be easy to spot and simple to prevent, once you get down to it.

1. Dispose of or repair appliances that routinely blow fuses or trip circuit breakers.
2. Clean your dryer filter after every load, and check around the drum and the back of the dryer for lint or misplaced laundry.
3. Never dry things that have been in contact with flammable liquids because it can ignite in the dryer.
4. Use a space heater only as intended – for extra warmth, not a main heat source.
5. Make sure an extension cord’s capacity matches the appliance.
6. If you keep a pet in a kennel, place it next to an exit.
7. Have your heating system serviced once a year before cold weather begins.
8. When buying a new unit, have a qualified technician install it or check that it was installed properly.
9. Choose a heating device with an automatic shutoff feature.
10. Make sure your clothes dryer is installed and serviced by a professional.
11. Have a gas-powered dryer inspected by a professional at least once a year to check flexible gas lines for damage and proper connection, and to ensure all piping is free of leaks.
12. Keep areas around heating sources clear of debris and insulated from the heating source.
13. Be sure to clean the lint tray in your dryer before each use and check around the drum for any accumulated lint.
14. Have a professional clean the inside of your dryer every one to three years.
15. Do not store clothing or other combustibles any closer than one foot from the dryer.
16. Do not let your dryer continue running when you leave your home.