Get matched with top fire pit installation pros in Los Alamitos, CA

According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), the leading cause of house fires is cooking accidents, followed by fires started by heating equipment. Electrical issues are the third most common cause of house fires. The best way to keep your home protected is to use caution when cooking and never leave a stove or oven unattended while in use. You can also keep up with chimney cleaning and avoid using space heaters to reduce the risk.

Your pilot light needs to be on whenever you’re using your furnace to heat your home. However, you might decide to turn it off during the summer months, when you don’t need heating. Doing this can save you a little bit of money on utility costs—just make sure you’re fine with relighting your pilot light (or hiring a professional to do it) when fall comes around and you’re ready to get cozy.

Your smoke detector might be too high in some homes or circumstances to reach yourself. If you feel unsafe getting on a ladder to replace your hardwired smoke detector, call a licensed electrician or local handyman to knock this project off your to-do list. If you have a battery-operated smoke detector, your local fire department can change the batteries or help you replace the detector—just make sure you call the non-emergency number.

In any case, do not let this project go unresolved, as it could turn into a huge safety issue.

Regular professional chimney cleaning and a well-fitting chimney cap are two of the most effective measures to help prevent flue blockages. Annual cleaning keeps the flue from developing a thick layer of creosote. The chimney cap keeps debris out and stops critters from going down your flue for shelter while carrying clog-worthy nesting material.