As a child, you most likely attended school assemblies on fire prevention and perhaps even visited your local fire station to learn about fire safety. You grew up knowing that plugging too many things into an outlet or extension cord could lead to an electrical fire, or that an unattended stove could lead to a catastrophic fire. But what about your water heater? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), between 2009 and 2013, water heaters accounted for 10 percent of home fires caused by heating equipment.
Preventing Water Heater Fires
If your water heater is located in your laundry room, it’s imperative that clothes and other materials are not left piled around the appliance. Gas water heaters are especially dangerous with combustible materials near them, since the pilot light can easily catch something on fire. It can be a good idea to take masking tape or blue painter’s tape and mark a “safe zone” at least three feet from each side of the water heater. If the appliance is in a utility closet, make sure things like mops, cleaners, and other materials are stored at a safe distance.
The other way to prevent potentially damaging fires caused by faulty water heaters is to have the appliance maintained on a regular basis. At Gladiator, we’re always happy to provide San Jose homeowners with exceptional repair and maintenance services. We want you and your family to be safe at all times, and to be free from the worry of a water heater fire. If it’s time to replace your old appliance, we’ll install a new one as soon as possible. Call us today to learn more!
