7 Common Winter Home Items That Could Be Fire Hazards

The winter season makes everyone excited about snowy days and chilly nights. But all too often, we forget that the most common ways to stay warm can pose fire hazards. Whether by using a space heater or burning fresh wood, seasonal fire danger is all around us.

To help you keep your home and loved ones safe, home experts are sharing the top winter season hazards to avoid, along with simple prevention measures—like always ensuring your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working condition—that can be taken early in the season to prevent a potential catastrophe.

1. Space Heaters

Home safety expert Rick Sheets says to beware of space heaters. These handy devices use electricity or oil to produce radiant heat, and are common in older homes without central heat or air. While they can be a convenient way to keep one room warm when the rest of the house isn’t in use, they should be used carefully. “Space heaters can pose serious risks when plugged into a power strip or extension cord, since they can easily overheat," Sheets says. "Make sure your space heaters are always plugged directly into a wall outlet."

2. Clogged Chimneys

“Creosote can build up from normal fireplace usage and clog the chimney from below. The chimney can also be clogged from above if debris falls in or if the chimney itself starts to deteriorate,” says consumer electrical expert Dan Mock. “Either way, it's a danger and should be cleaned before the fall and winter season.”

Be sure to get your chimney professionally cleaned before using it this year. If you don’t have a chimney cap, get a new one to prevent new debris from falling into the flue. 

3. Unattended Candles

Whether used as holiday centerpieces or romantic bedroom accents, candles tend to make a steady appearance throughout the winter season. However, open flames always pose a fire hazard. Never leave a candle unattended, especially not burning overnight. Sheets recommends keeping flames away from Christmas trees, garland, furniture, curtains, and paper decorations.

When using decorative candles, try fragrant scented ones that are harder to forget are alight. Keep candle flames, matches, and lighters out of reach of children and pets.

4. Dust Buildup

Dust builds up in hard-to-reach places. But accumulated dust in the dryer vent, HVAC units, baseboards, and furnace can pose a real fire hazard when all these appliances are working overtime. Try vacuum cleaning these key areas of concern. If you can’t get the job done, contract a pro before the holiday season starts, as that tends to be when they’re in the most demand to repair breakdowns or malfunctions.

5. Electric Blankets

“Once an electric blanket becomes damaged or stops working properly, it's time to dispose of it so you don't risk a fire,” Mock warns. Blankets that are more than three years old should be checked carefully before use. But, in his experience, once an electric blanket hits a decade of service, it's time to retire it—even if it still appears to be in good shape. 

6. Overloaded Power Outlets

Between holiday decor lighting, meal prep for big feasts, and a revolving door of house guests, winter is peak season for overloaded power outlets. Don’t chance it. Avoid plugging in lots of devices into the same outlet, especially in homes with old electrical systems. Install surge protectors throughout the house and upgrade to GFCI-protected breakers for outlets near water, usually in bathrooms and kitchens.

“Be sure all outdoor illuminations, like light strings, are rated for outdoor use or properly protected,” Mock suggests. “Be sure to never exceed the recommended wattage and plug outdoor electrical equipment into ground-fault protected circuits.”

7. Extension Cords

Mock explains that every extension cord is designed for a specific distance and amount of electricity. “Extension cords used incorrectly can cause overheating," he says. He has seen cases where the insulation inside a coiled cord was melting. Had the device been left on much longer, it could have created a serious hazard—harming people, pets, and property. Simple situations like this can turn sour very quickly.

To avoid a terrible mishap, do not run extension cords under rugs, furniture, or other appliances. Avoid fire hazards on the roof, garage, and porches by ensuring that any extension cords used outside are industrial-grade and designed for outdoor weather conditions.