Fire Hazards In Bedrooms: What You Need To Know

Fire is a serious and ever-present danger, and bedrooms are one of the most common places in the house for fires to start.

Electric blankets

There are two main causes of electric blanket fires:

• Overheating of the heating element, which ignites combustible materials.
• Electric arcing of a broken electrical conductor, which also ignites combustible materials.

A third cause may be the overheating of electrical components other than the heating element, which can also ignite combustible materials. Modern electric blankets often contain a safety circuit designed to prevent fires when these failure modes occur, but if the safety circuit malfunctions, a fire can still occur.

To prevent fires caused by electric blankets, it is important to:

• Check the product label to ensure it is certified by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories.
• Check for safety recalls on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
• Avoid folding or bunching up the blanket, as this can create and trap too much heat.
• Avoid tucking the blanket around the mattress.
• Upgrade to a blanket with an auto-shutoff feature, and always turn it off before going to sleep.
• Avoid using the blanket on certain types of beds, such as waterbeds or adjustable beds.
• Avoid using the blanket with a heated mattress pad, to prevent overheating.
• Avoid using old blankets, as internal elements may be deteriorating.
• Avoid placing anything on the blanket, including yourself, unless it is designed for this purpose.
• Avoid sitting on the blanket, as this can damage the electric coils.
• Avoid using the spin cycle when washing the blanket, as this can twist or damage the internal coils.
• Keep pets away from the blanket, as their claws can expose the electric wiring, creating fire hazards.
• Avoid running cords under the mattress, as this can damage the cord and trap excess heat.
• Always unplug and store the blanket and its cords safely when not in use.

By following these safety precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of fire when using an electric blanket.

Smoking in bed

To prevent fires caused by smoking in bed, it is crucial to never smoke in bed or near upholstered furniture, curtains, or linens. Smokers should also refrain from leaving lit cigarettes unattended and be cautious not to fall asleep while smoking. It is also essential to keep a fire extinguisher in the bedroom and ensure that smoke alarms are installed and functioning properly.

Educating children about fire safety is vital. Teach them that fire is a tool, not a toy, and keep matches and lighters locked away and out of their reach.

Candles

• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Never burn a candle on or near anything that might catch fire, such as furniture, mattresses, bedding, curtains, home decorations, paper, or clothing.
• Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
• Always use a candle holder that is specifically designed for candle use. It should be heat-resistant, sturdy, and large enough to contain any drips or melted wax.
• Burn candles in a well-ventilated room, avoiding drafts, vents, or air currents to prevent rapid or uneven burning, sooting, and excessive dripping.
• Follow the manufacturer's recommendations on burn time and proper use. In general, it is recommended that candles are not burned for longer than four hours and are allowed to cool for at least two hours before being relit.
• When lighting a candle, use long matches or a long-reach lighter, and keep your hair and loose clothing away from the flame.
• Never touch or move a candle while it is burning or while the wax is liquefied.
• Don't burn a candle all the way down. For safety, stop burning a candle when 1/2 inch of wax remains in a container or 2 inches if using a pillar candle.
• Place burning candles at least three inches apart from one another to prevent melting and improper burning.
• Extinguish a candle if the flame becomes too high or flickers repeatedly. Allow the candle to cool, trim the wick, and check for unwanted drafts before relighting.
• Never use a candle as a night light or while you may fall asleep.
• Be very careful if using candles during a power outage. Flashlights and other battery-powered lights are much safer sources of light.
• Never use a candle during a power outage to look for things in a closet or when fueling equipment, such as a lantern or kerosene heater.
• Always use a candle snuffer to extinguish a candle safely and prevent hot wax from splattering.
• Never use water to extinguish a candle, as this can cause the hot wax to splatter and might break a glass container.
• Make sure the candle is completely out and the wick ember is no longer glowing before leaving the room.
• Never use a knife or sharp object to remove wax drippings from a glass holder, as this could scratch, weaken, or cause the glass to break.
• Store candles where children cannot reach them and away from flammable materials.

Faulty wiring

In addition, faulty wiring can be caused by poor connections, which can result in glowing connections that ignite nearby combustible materials. Glowing connections occur when connections are not tightly secured, leading to increased resistance and localized heating. This can cause nearby combustible materials, such as wood studs or plastic outlet covers, to ignite.

Another cause of faulty wiring is arcing, which can be caused by carbonization of insulation or externally induced ionization of air. Arcing can lead to melting of metal and expulsion of molten pieces, which can then ignite flammable materials nearby.

Excessive ohmic heating is another factor that can lead to faulty wiring and electrical fires. This can be caused by gross overloads, excessive thermal insulation, stray currents, ground faults, overvoltage, or poor connections.

To prevent electrical fires due to faulty wiring, it is important to regularly inspect and maintain electrical connections, ensure proper tightening of screws and connectors, and avoid overloading circuits with too many appliances.

Children playing with matches or lighters

Children are naturally curious about fire, and this curiosity can lead to dangerous situations when playing with matches or lighters. Every year, children start over 100,000 fires, and about half of these are started with matches and lighters. It is crucial to take preventive measures and educate children about fire safety to reduce the risk of fires in the home.

To prevent children from playing with matches and lighters, it is essential to keep them out of reach and preferably locked away in a high cabinet. Teach children that matches and lighters are tools, not toys, and that fire is dangerous and only for adults. Explain the safe uses of fire, such as in cooking, heating, and birthday candles, and tell them that you will teach them about lighting matches when they are older.

It is also important to never leave young children unattended, as it only takes a few seconds for a fire to start and get out of control. Children under 12 should not be left alone or in charge of younger siblings. Teach young children to notify an adult when they see matches or lighters and to refrain from touching them. Additionally, if you or a family member smokes, be sure to extinguish matches and smoking materials completely and dispose of them safely.

If your child has shown an excessive interest in fire, has started a fire, or has played with matches or lighters, it is important to address their curiosity and educate them about fire danger. Contact your local fire department and inquire about juvenile firesetters intervention programs. By taking these preventive measures and educating our children, we can significantly reduce the risk of fires in our homes and keep our families safe.

Frequently asked questions