Fire Safety in Tracy

With ongoing drought conditions in California and two local fires breaking out over the last three weeks, it is important to consider fire safety in Tracy. Since the wet winter weather helped bring more vegetation to the area, weeds have easily gotten out of hand in many Tracy neighborhoods. In fact, both of the fires mentioned above were a result of overgrown weeds. That's why it's important to keep on top of the landscaping in your Tracy home. Don't let the garbage pile up either, since it can be both a health and fire hazard.

You shouldn't neglect fire hazards inside your home either. Install smoke detectors and change the batteries every six months to help insure that they are working when needed. A simple way to remember is to change your batteries when you change your clocks for the beginning and ending of Daylight Savings Time. A carbon monoxide monitor is also a smart device to have in your Edgewood home, since carbon monoxide is both colorless and odorless but extremely deadly. If you live in a multi-story home, you may want to consider installing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors on all levels, especially near your sleeping areas.

In the kitchen, keep your stove and oven clear of debris and grease. Never leave the cooking unattended. Turn the handles of your pots and pans in to keep away from curious little hands. Keep combustible items, such as pot holders, curtains and towels, a safe distance from the stove. Purchasing fire extinguishers and keeping them in the kitchen, garage and at least one per level of your home will keep them close at hand in case of an emergency.

Don't overload your electrical outlet. This can cause a short, which may spark a fire. Use a power strip if you need to plug more than two electrical appliances into an outlet. They can handle up to six different appliances and have an internal circuit breaker for added protection. Replace frayed cords. Clear space around your electrical appliances to allow proper ventilation so they don't overheat.

Make sure you and your family create an emergency plan of action and practice it often. This is good not only for fires, but for earthquakes, power outages and even possible medical emergencies. By practicing fire safety in Tracy, you are helping keep your family and our community safe.

The Silveria Team, your source for Tracy real estate