Weber Fire Discusses Fire Safety Within Your Home
“I’m very lucky that my house is well insulated and has good wiring. Most of our customers will not have these advantages. When a node fails, it can take out a corner of the home, or worse, the whole house.”
The first thing any potential fire victim should consider is their wiring is functional, and cut or damaged within the last 12 months. This is the time to open up the wiring to see if it can be repaired. Unless it is a major electrical repair or wiring change, look for distribution wiring that can be replaced. Underneath a main circuit that runs between the stove, water heater, hotswap oil heater or central gutters you will find distribution lines that can be easily replaced. “Electricians often want conductors the size of a hair tie all the way through,” explains Gabe Severs, principal investigator for the St. Louis office of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. “This is where there’s a big difference between residential wiring and commercial wiring, which has heavy conductors and usually looks like a spider web — it’s a hazard to work around.” The distribution wiring of a typical unheated house can be replaced in an hour or two, whereas a newly installed heated home will take a professional to replace.
*Note: Please check with your local building inspector or code enforcement as local rules differ from state to state.
As of 16 December 2018, Missouri government issued the following regulations regarding consumption and use of flammable substances by consumers in homes, commercial buildings, and other larger structures. A copy of these regulations is available online.
The consumption and use of any flammable material or devices is prohibited in all buildings and structures that contain 1 or more dwelling units.
A non-combustible solid material (other than paper) that is readily combustible such as paperboard, foamboard, string or paper that is implanted with adhesive chemicals or thermite that is cut or molded into a solid shape and that can Be ignited without the aid of chemicals or other ignition source(s) and reuires a fire extinguisher, but you should get a fire extinguisher recharge to ensure your extinguisher works smoohtly.
This is a very window dressing add on but it’s a logical starting point so flame jumps can be controlled easier. Most vendors of consumer products provide a fire jump box that flings screens, patches, and other objects at a user to prevent accidental exposure to fuel. “If you need the popcorn for the stove, grab the cup. If you need the banner to be burned on the front porch, burn the bowing cotton or if you require a fire alarms system service, Weber can support you with that.
St. Louis is experiencing record high temperatures and low humidity. Turn on your HVAC, your A/C, and make sure that your heat is turned on for at least two hours per day. Leave old school duct tape in the pantry, use electrical tape in bathrooms, fill up your containers and mugs as you would during a summer’s even, check your interior doors and windows for leaks, ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working and are properly calibrated.
You may be cooking together and with family or friends. You also have access to 18-Volt batteries which have a longer lifespan and a more powerful charge. Staying safe while cooking yourself means knowing how to properly care for your knives (especially, the back cutters), using gloves properly and keeping your food and drinking water from contact with your plates and utensils.
There are a lot of lawnmower batteries out there, but there is one thing you’ll want to know, use caution when charging those batteries. You want to make sure you respect the voltage levels and not overload these batteries. This could cause them to overheat or explode.
If you could use a portable gas stove, make sure you are using the correct size of gas flame. While there are 3 sizes for gas stokers, the 18-inch-round ones tend to be the most popular. Be sure the gas in your tank is at a minimum level or you will risk overshooting the mark.
It’s a good idea to keep a few winter clothes on hand. Keep your hats and gloves on hand. An open flame can hurt or scare someone, therefore any sort of fire extinguisher is a good idea if it could be a potentially life-threatening situation.
Staying hydrated is essential during the winter months. Keeping cisterns full and sinks topped up is key to a healthy home during these dark days. Fresh water for drinking and cooking is equally important to staying hydrated. To keep your intake of water high, there are a couple of options.
Fill the contents of your refrigerator’s thermostat reservoir to at least four inches (10cm) above the level that will allow for the container to sit upright without touching the floor or a counter. If there is already an existing running water supply in your home, to provide additional water for drinking, there are several manufacturers of flushable water bottles that are great when storing them for later.
A small water pump is useful for filling a large space or storm drain for quickly re-hydrating from an accidental overflow.
10944 Gravois Industrial Ct, St. Louis, MO 63128
314-351-5005
- May 18, 2021