Fall Fire Safety Tips: How Decluttering Can Help Prevent House Fires

Fall means cooler weather, changing leaves, and more time spent at home. It also brings a few seasonal fire risks that are worth keeping in mind.

Heating equipment gets turned back on, candles and seasonal decorations come out, and dry leaves start piling up outside. Inside, clutter that has collected throughout the year can create additional hazards, especially around heaters, furnaces, outlets, and exits. 

Fire Prevention Week is a good reminder to take some time to look around your home and address some of these risks. Here are a few fall fire safety tips to help you get started.

Clear Out Fall Debris

Those colorful fall leaves don't stay colorful for long. Once dry, leaves, branches, and other yard debris can become highly flammable.

Keep leaves and debris cleared away from decks, patios, outdoor grills, fire pits, and other areas where heat or sparks may be present. Cleaning out gutters is important too, since leaves can quickly build up throughout the season.

Fire risks also increase as temperatures drop and homeowners begin using their heating systems more often. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nearly half of all home heating fires occur in December-February, making fall a good time to prepare.

Declutter With Fire Safety in Mind

Decluttering can make your home feel and look better, but it can also make it safer.

Stacks of cardboard boxes, newspapers, magazines, and other combustible items can give a fire more material to burn. Garages, basements, attics, and storage rooms are especially easy places for these items to pile up over time.

As you clean out your home this fall, pay extra attention to clutter near furnaces, space heaters, fireplaces, electrical outlets, and other heat sources.

It's also important to keep hallways, stairways, doors, and other escape routes clear. If you ever need to leave your home quickly, you don't want boxes, furniture, piles of clothing, or other unwanted items getting in the way.

Not sure where to start? Check out our fall decluttering checklist for ideas to tackle your home one area at a time.

Be Smart With Fall Decorations

Candles, string lights, and other decorations can make your home feel extra cozy this time of year, but a few simple precautions can help you enjoy them safely.

Keep candles away from curtains, paper, decorations, and other items that can catch fire, and never leave a burning candle unattended. Battery-operated candles can be a great alternative!

Before plugging in string lights or other electrical decorations, check cords for cracks, fraying, or other damage. Replace damaged decorations rather than continuing to use them.

Give Heating Equipment Some Space

Before temperatures really drop, take some time to make sure your heating equipment is ready for the season.

If you have a fireplace, consider scheduling a chimney cleaning before using it. Furnaces should also be inspected and serviced regularly.

If you're using a space heater, keep it at least three feet away from bedding, curtains, furniture, clothing, and other combustible materials. You can also check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for current product recalls and safety warnings.

This is another area where decluttering makes a difference. Keeping the space around fireplaces, furnaces, and heaters clear removes unnecessary items that could catch fire.

Make Fire Safety Part of Your Fall Routine

A few small habits can go a long way toward creating a safer home.

Make sure smoke alarms are installed where needed and test them regularly. Keep fire extinguishers somewhere accessible, particularly near kitchens and other higher-risk areas. Your household should also have a home fire escape plan and know what to do and where to meet in an emergency.

And as you clean and organize for the season, don't forget about the areas where unwanted items tend to collect. Clearing out a packed garage, basement, attic, or spare room can help remove combustible clutter while keeping important pathways open.

Need Help Clearing the Clutter?

If your fall cleanout turns into a bigger project than expected, TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK® can help.

Our teams can remove unwanted furniture, household items, yard debris, and other junk, so you don't have to tackle everything yourself. With transparent pricing and dependable service, we make it easier to clear out the things you no longer need.

Whatever you're clearing out, getting rid of unwanted items is one more way to create a cleaner, more comfortable, and safer home this fall.