Now that the weather is cooling and the rains starting, at last, fire season is behind us!

Or is it?

Do know that your home contains multiple fire hazards? Now’s the time to check on those potential internal issues.

Double check your protection. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have such an amazing life span these days that it can be easy to forget about them. Go around a hit all the test buttons. Also, make sure your fire extinguisher is full charged, easily accessible, and working.

Invite the chimney sweep over. Just because the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has been limiting non-gas fires for several years, doesn’t mean your chimney isn’t getting grimy. Dirty chimneys are a leading cause of house fires; so, if it’s been more than a year since you’ve had your chimney swept, take a moment to schedule an appointment. (So you know, fire logs are worse on your chimney than wood. The paraffin that holds the log together sticks to the chimney and amplifies the risk of a fire.)

Clean your drier vent. Did you know that drier lint is flammable? The lint trap doesn’t catch all the lint your clothes give off, so lint collects in your ducting – eventually clogging it completely. The fire hazard is significantly more costly than the extended amount of time to get your clothes dry. (As a known fire hazard, some insurance companies may not cover damages from an avoidable fire by drier lint.) There are professional vent cleaners as well as do it yourself kits for ridding your drier ducting of lint.

Keeping the Bay Area fire season outdoors and to the summer months is much easier when you take care of the little things around the house that could cause significant damage.

Around the House Trivia

Did you know that a mouse can wiggle its way through a hole the size of a pencil? When you’re looking around for critter entry points, keep in mind that they’ve been working their way into houses for generations. No break is too small to seal up.

Around the House Easy Fix Have you noticed that the “holiday season” smells different?

There is cinnamon in the air – literally. You can fill your home with the smells of the season without baking 24/7. Fill a slow cooker with boiling water and add your favorite scent ingredients such as: apple slices, orange peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves, or cranberries. Set the cooker on low and leave the lid off to fill your home with some holiday spice.

Remember to add water occasionally so as not to dry cook the insert. Also, be sure to turn off the slow cooker when you go out or turn in for the night.