There are many hazards in the basement that can cause a fire so it is important to do a thorough inspection of the basement to help detect some of those fire hazards that may exist there.
The presence of hazards like combustibles, electricity, and heat generators, all packed un-attended in your basement is dangerous and requires precautionary attention. To allow emergency escape, make sure there is always a clear path towards the exit.
Hazardous Vapors and Liquids
In your basement you will most likely find flammable liquids that give off vapors which are heavier than air. These vapors can ignite by even a small spark from the furnace or hot water heater.
It is advisable to store these flammable liquids outside in a shed, and that they are stored in approved containers that are kept away from heat, sparks and open flames. Do not smoke in the vacinity of these products.
If these products must be stored in the basement, make a suitable clearance of at least 3 feet around appliances such as the furnace or hot water heater.
Storing Safely
To keep the storage amount of combustible materials that will fuel a fire down to a minimum, clean out once a year or have a garage sale. You should not store lawn mowers, snow blowers and propane tanks indoors as they contain flammable liquids, that release vapors heavier than air and present a serious fire and breathing hazard.
Electrical Safety
Electrical boxes that are overfused are a serious fire hazard. Bypassing circuit fuses can create a potential fire risk. If a fuse blows it means that the wiring or some electrical device connected to the circuit is defective, or there may be too many connected appliances that are causing overload.
It is important to never use an extension cord for appliances that need a permanent supply of power such as the air conditioner, fridge, and freezer, as this can cause the cord to overheat and ignite.
All fixtures should be properly secured, wires should be properly insulated from each other, and junction boxes should be covered properly.
Child Safety
You should not allow children to play in the basement if it is used for storage. Matches and lighters should be stored in a locked box and out of the reach of children.
Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS®, to learn more about <a href="http://www.restorationsos.com/" title="Smoke Damage">Smoke Damage</a> and <a href="http://www.restorationsos.com/" title="Fire Restoration">Fire Restoration</a> visit RestorationSOS.com or call 1-877-767-2407.
