We may think our homes are safe from fire, but many have lurking fire hazards. Here’s what to watch out for…

Electrical systems. Homes built prior to the 1960s might still have fuse boxes with screw-in fuses, rather than modern circuit breakers. Such systems might employ only six fuses for the entire house, compared with 15 to 18 breakers in a modern electrical system. Fewer fuses means more power running through each fuse, increasing the risk of fire. An electrician can upgrade an old fuse-based service for $800 to $1,500. Homes built between 1965 and 1972 may have aluminum wiring, which can be a fire hazard. Have a qualified electrician check your electrical system.

Power cords. Frayed extension cords and appliance cords can be fire hazards. If you have pets that like to chew on them… old electrical devices… or power cords that are hidden behind pieces of furniture or under rugs, check them for frays every year or so.

If you must plug many electrical devices into a single outlet, use a power strip with a built-in fuse, rather than an extension cord.

Crock pots and electric space heaters can become fire hazards. Before you leave one of these on overnight or while you’re out, plug it in, let it run for 15 minutes, then feel its power cord. If the cord is very warm to the touch, the appliance is not safe to use.

Dryers. Clogged dryer exhaust hoses occasionally cause fires. Every year or two, remove the hose from the back of your dryer and use your arm to gently clear out any accumulated lint. If the exterior end of your dryer hose can be easily detached, do so, and reach in from this direction, too. Then reattach the hose and run the dryer empty to blow out any remaining lint and confirm that the system is venting properly.

Grills. Thoroughly clean your grill at least once a season. Take off the grate and use a degreasing solution available at hardware and home-improvement stores. A paper clip can clear gas jet holes. When using the grill, do not place it up against the house, and make sure that the area around the grill is free of leaves and other debris that could ignite from a spark.

Chimneys. Chimneys should be professionally cleaned and inspected at least once every two years to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide backups and creosote fires. If your furnace vents through a steel pipe rather than through your chimney, have the top of this pipe inspected for animal nests and other clogs before you start the furnace for the first time each autumn.

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