Southern Utah Curtain Fire

Curtains and drapes are a stylish way to add some flair and color to any room in your southern Utah home, but they can also pose a fire hazard. According to FEMA, curtains are one of the top causes of home fires when placed too close to heat sources. Radiators or space heaters, overloaded outlets and torch-style halogen lamps can all send curtains up in smoke quickly. Radiators and space heaters require a designated space allowance from all material and other flammable surfaces. Having a curtain smother these heat sources can increase temperatures dramatically and pose a fire hazard. Outlets that are overloaded can cause sparks and fire even if a curtain is not in the area. Add the flammable material of a curtain in close proximity and your chances of a fire have drastically increased. Halogen lamps are at the top of causes for curtain fires. According Oregon State University, the popular six to seven foot torch style halogen lamps typically placed in corners of rooms to create a warm lit ambiance have bulbs that can increase in heat of almost 1,000 degrees (F). This extremity of temperature can cause the bulbs to explode and catch curtains and other nearby material on fire. Curtains are safe to be used in homes as long as all fire hazard sources have been eliminated. For more information on curtain fire hazards and other hazards in your home call HiCaliber of southern Utah today at (435) 674-9338 or visit us online at http://www.hicaliber.biz

Photo: Dora C