Home Safety: Preventing Cigarette Fires

2/19/2020 (Permalink)

Keep your home safe with these cigarette safety guidelines

Home Safety: Preventing Cigarette Fires

It may come as a surprise, but each year, cigarettes continue to cause thousands of fires in homes. Cigarette fires can lead to lingering odors and even structural damage to your property. Don't let your Willow Spring, NC, home fall victim to this danger. If you or your guests must smoke, follow these safety guidelines and puff responsibly.

• Smoke outdoors
  
• Stay alert
  
• Secure ashtrays
  
  

Avoid Indoor Smoking
Though indoor smoking is banned from many public places, this is not the case for private residences. You are allowed to smoke inside your own home, of course, but it leads to offensive, lingering odors as well as potentially dangerous situations. An ashtray fire can lead to a devastating blaze that will require professional fire and smoke damage remediation. A simple rule of permitting smoking only outside can prevent a lot of issues. Your home is full of flammable items such as paper and fabric that are susceptible to flames and odors.

Avoid Distracted Smoking
Smoking while distracted leads to cigarette fires on a regular basis. If you or your guests are going to smoke, be sure to stay alert. Don't smoke while you are tired or if you have taken a medication or other substance that inhibits your awareness. You run the risk of falling asleep with a lit butt and this can catch your home on fire. When you smoke, be sure to fully and properly dispose of any burning remains. Don't just toss your stubs into the grass or on the ground. You must use a properly filled ashtray and douse the butts with water before you empty them into a trashcan.
Smoking may not seem as prevalent as it used to be, but cigarette fires still happen each year. Keep your home safe with these cigarette safety guidelines. Know who to call for fire cleanup in case of an emergency, as accidents do happen.