At Menold, we have a love/hate relationship with Winter. There is nothing like enjoying the coziness of a warm cup of hot chocolate as by our fireplaces as snow falls outside. However, some of the things that we love most about the colder months are also the things that can be the most threatening to our homes and families if treated carelessly. We can always count on seeing an increase in house fires in the winter months, unfortunately. We would love to help prevent these problems in any way possible, so we put together a list of these Fire hazards and ways you can be more cautious during these Winter months. 

• Furnaces. If our furnaces are not properly maintained, they can easily be the source of a house fire. We recommend making sure that your furnace has a clean air filter, no dirt surrounding the motor, and that the bearings of your furnace are properly attached and lubricated. If those things have all been done, you can enjoy a warm home with much less risk of fire!
• Christmas trees. Trees are always an easy target for a fire, and Christmas trees are no exception. The two main ways to avoid a Christmas tree fire are to keep it well-watered and to keep it away from heat sources!
• Candles. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the top two days for home candle fires are Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Candles are such a fun way to create a cozy and celebratory atmosphere, but be careful not to leave a candle burning in a room unattended! Also, make sure that your candles are out of reach of children and removed from any potentially flammable objects.
• Stove/Crock Pots. I think we can all agree that one of the best parts about the holidays is the food! Whether it be a traditional Thanksgiving spread, a ham dinner with all of the sides for Christmas Day, or the endless amounts of holiday sweets, it seems the holidays revolve around food. We highly recommend checking and rechecking that your stove and oven are turned off when not in use. If you are using a crock pot, please be sure that there is nothing close by that might make contact and catch fire.
• Fireplaces. Fireplace safety really begins with the chimney. Check your roof to make sure that there are no branches lingering near the chimney that could potentially catch on fire. You may also want to consider capping your chimney to prevent leaves, branches, squirrels, birds, or anything else that is unwanted! It is always a good idea to have your fireplace and chimney professionally inspected and cleaned at the beginning of the Winter season, as they easily see the issues that most of us would miss.

Fire prevention takes just a little extra effort, but it is well worth it. While we love serving our community and helping in any way, we also never want a house fire to happen to any one. From all of us at Menold - we wish you a safe, cozy, and joy-filled Winter!