You need to take note that these are the 13 items that are fire hazards if you don’t clean them enough. They may not obviously look dirty but if left untouched for too long, they can be extremely dangerous.
1. Toaster ovens
Items touching the heat source can become extremely dangerous as they will begin to smoke much quicker than a crumb on the bottom tray of the toaster oven. You need cleaning the crumbs after every use and ensuring that nothing is touching the heat source.
2. Pests and critters
This is the most overlooked fire hazard in your home. If you aren’t cleaning up things that attract pests, or taking measures to make sure they get out of your house, they can get inside of your home and potentially start a fire.
3. Heaters
Over time, dust will naturally accumulate around the heaters in your home. If you don’t make an effort to regularly dust your home you could be creating a fire hazard. Dusting your house at least once a week can prevent house fires.
4. Bathroom exhaust fans
One of the most commonly overlooked fire hazards in a home is the bathroom exhaust fan. If you have an old and dirty, dusty exhaust fan the motor can overheat and start a fire. You need cleaning the bathroom fan cover at least once a year and the motor itself at least every few years.
5. Airconditioners (AC)
If the wire of the AC is totally broken, the risk is low. However, if the AC’s wire is partially broken or frayed, power still continues to flow with increased resistance. This causes overheating and can potentially start an electrical fire.
6. Rangehoods/cooking stoves
Regularly cleaning your rangehood can prevent grease fires and fires caused by smoking cooking oil. As grease and remnants of smoke can buildup in the vents, regularly cleaning the range hood filter is key.
7. Outdoor grills
Grill mishaps are all too common in the summer months as more people choose to cook outside. You need to properly clean up and store your grill after each use to make sure you don’t start a fire. Grease build-up can cause a grease fire so make sure to scrub or wipe down your grill after each use.
8. Landscaping
Overgrown trees and shrubbery around your house can be easy to ignore because you don’t necessarily see if from inside your house. Make sure to rake and clear out around your house at least twice a year. You probably don’t wash these everyday items enough.
9. Dryer vents
It’s important to clean the lint from your dryer as well as from the dryer vent that leads outdoors on a regular basis. If the lint isn’t able to fully exhaust from your home it can be a huge fire hazard.
10. Unwashed rags
Firefighters often see home fires started by oily rags used for staining that are just left in the garage or basement and not cleaned up properly. Cotton rags used for staining should be placed in a metal can with a tight-fitting lid, and soaked in a solution of water and detergents and allowed to soak for three days, before disposing of them.
11. Chimneys
If things build-up or get stick inside of your chimney from lack of cleaning it can be a fire hazard. Inspect your chimney for creosotes, or tar deposits, which can build up in your chimney and need to be knocked down.
12. Hairdryers
When you use your hairdryer every day, debris, hair, and dust start to build-up and can become hazardous. Also, the hair dryer’s power cord can overheat also leading to melting, fire, or explosion.
13. Lawnmowers
You should be cleaning off your lawnmower after each use. After using the lawnmower, people typically just push it into their shed or garage and forget about it until the next time they need to mow the lawn. There are risks that come along with not properly maintaining and cleaning your lawnmower though.
So, the next time you do a big house clean, make sure to hit these spots too so that your home and family can stay safe. Don’t wait for a fire accident to happen.