#fire hazard.

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When You Fireproof Your House, Never Forget Your Connectors

As a homeowner, you probably have heard about electrical fires. The good thing is they’re not a regular occurrence. However, a quick look at statistics reveals a saddening fact. Not only do they appear year in year out, they claim property and at times end up taking up lives.

Making sure your abode is fireproof is therefore a worthy undertaking. While there are many reasons for the occurrence of electrical fires, the right connections are ones you should never overlook.

Like a Thief in the Night

When it comes to home fires, property damage is reason enough to be vigilant. Just thinking about fire eating up your abode is enough to cause years and years of emotional torment for many. However, more than all the property losses a homeowner may incur, one factor makes fire a scourge in many Australian citizen’s eyes: loss of lives.

What’s worrying is fires usually come like a thief in the night. Government data show large numbers of fire fatalities occur between midnight and 8:00 in the morning. At these times, homes are very vulnerable as most people are fast asleep.

Of all places, it is the kitchen where most fires start, according to Fire and Rescue NSW. While neglect could be an aggravating factor, kitchen appliances, most of which are electrical (e.g., toasters, ovens, microwaves) are major culprits.

Prevention

The good news is most of home fires are largely preventable. For starters, one should make sure that electrical terminals are not overloaded. A good connector is a great safeguard. Remember to match it with the right electrical load for safety.

For instance, a build-up of dust in sockets could complicate matters. Further, unplugged power cords of microwave ovens and faulty wirings can easily overheat causing unpredictable combustion. Bear in mind that cooking equipment are major sources of heat; prolonged use like heating metal bowls in the microwave causes a dangerous build-up.

Don't Put Your Bahama Home at Risk. Clean Your Oven Exhaust Filter

The leading cause of restaurant fires is, not surprisingly, cooking. If you talk to an insurance underwriter or a Fire Marshal you will find that one of their principal areas of concern is the exhaust vent over ovens.

Grease fires are very nasty and difficult to put out particularly if there is no easy access to the site of the fire.

If you own a substantial residence you most likely have an expansive kitchen…maybe even a "professional" kitchen. When is the last time you inspected the exhaust fan, hood and filters above your oven?

Out of Sight, Out of Mind Can Burn Your House Down

When you look at the exhaust hood over the oven you're looking at the outside and it is probably sparkling clean.

Over time that filter, like all filters, will do its job so well that it will clog because of the grease it has trapped. When this occurs the fan becomes ineffective and the vapors linger in the hood depositing grease. In short the whole system is grease soaked making it at a minimum a fire hazard.

Dirty filters and hoods also become tasty feeding grounds for insects. In addition, dirty filters are often the source of that "aroma" in the kitchen that you just can't pin down.

Easy Cleaning Methods for Oven Vents and Filters

If you schedule regular monthly cleaning the whole assembly can be completed in 15 minutes, less if you use a chemical cleaner.

There is a product called Super Clean that is found in the automotive section. This is a spray on cleaner that works exceptionally well on grease without damaging paint finishes on the hood. If you go this route you will need:

A bottle of Spray Clean

Chemical resistant rubber gloves

A cookie sheet

Paper towels

Pop the filter out from under the hood and place on the cookie sheet. Spay the filter with Super Clean and let sit for 5 minutes. While you are waiting on the filter you can spray the cleaner directly on the hood and fan and immediately wipe it off with wet paper towels.

After 5 minutes of soaking in Super Clean, rinse the filter (and cookie sheet) with hot tap water in the sink. Pop the filter back in place.

If you want to use a natural approach you'll need:

A bucket big enough to accommodate the filter

Boiling water

¼ cup Baking soda

A grease cutting dish soap like Dawn

Pour the boiling water into a bucket and then slowly add the baking soda. Pour a dollop of Dawn into the bucket. Drop in the filter and let it "cook" for 5 minutes. Use tongs to remove it from the bucket and rinse in the sink with hot tap water.

A little effort can make your home a safer place.