13 items that are a fire hazard if you don’t clean them enough

Fire Chief Charles A. Moore says that they often see home fires started by oily rags used for staining that are just left in the garage or basement and not cleaned up properly. “A chemical reaction between cotton and certain oil-based stains can cause spontaneous combustion,” says Moore. “Our fire district starting given metal ash cans to people free of charge to help stop the number of these fires. Cotton rags used for staining should be placed in a metal can with a tight-fitting lid, and soaked in a solution of water and detergents, and allowed to soak for three days, before disposing of them.”

Most people with wood-burning fireplaces know that they need to get their chimney serviced on a regular basis. If things build-up or get stick inside of your chimney from lack of cleaning it can be a fire hazard. “Inspect your chimney for creosotes, or tar deposits, which can build up in your chimney and need to be knocked down,” says Lynch. “If you notice this build-up, call a professional chimney sweep. They have the tools and the knowledge to tackle the issue and perform complete routine maintenance.”

When you use your hairdryer every day, debris, hair and dust start to build-up and can become hazardous. “If the appliance smells like burning hair, if it shocks or burns you, these are sure signs that it needs to be cleaned or replaced,” said electrical experts at Mister Sparky. “Additionally, the hair dryer’s power cord can overheat also leading to melting, fire or explosion.”

After using the lawnmower, people typically just push it into their shed or garage and forget about it until the next time they need to mow the lawn. There are risks that come along with not properly maintaining and cleaning your lawnmower though. “Debris or dry grass can easily get stuck in the mower deck and cause a fire, especially during the warmer months,” says Nikolay Miloshev, owner of a property maintenance company. “In addition, fuel vapours often end up packed in the hot muffler, again posing a risk.” You should be cleaning off your lawnmower after each use.

Learn more about mower maintenance.

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Source: RD.com