The Public Adjusters Provide Safety Tips for Cold Weather Fires

Tampa, FL, January 10, 2012 --(PR.com)-- With the cold weather hitting the area, The Public Adjusters, a firm of independent property insurance claim adjusters, would like to remind home owners to be careful when using alternative heating sources, which are often the cause of residential home fires. Fireplaces, wood stoves, pellet stoves, liquid propane heaters, and electric powered radiators all offer opportunities for equipment failure which could cause fire or carbon monoxide emergencies.

Heating Sources:

Have all wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, chimneys, chimney connections and all other solid-fueled heating equipment inspected yearly by a professional, and cleaned as often as inspections suggest. Use only properly seasoned hardwood to reduce creosote build-up.

Make sure your fireplace has a well-fitting screen or glass doors to prevent sparks from flying into the room. Allow ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container.

Portable and fixed space heaters must carry the mark of an independent testing laboratory, and fixed heaters must be installed by a qualified technician according to manufacturer’s instructions or applicable codes. Keep or maintain proper clearance between space heaters and anything that can burn. Portable space heaters should be turned off every time you leave the room or go to bed.

Have any gas-fueled (Propane or Natural Gas) heating device installed with proper attention to ventilation. Keep combustible items away from devices. Fire codes prohibit the use of portable kerosene heaters in multi-family dwellings.

Candles:

Never leave unattended. Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to bed. Keep away from items that can catch fire, like clothing curtains or presents. Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.

Carbon Monoxide:

Install CO alarms inside your home to provide early warning of accumulating Carbon Monoxide. Alarms should be installed outside each separate sleeping area, and tested monthly. Carbon monoxide can affect a home very quickly without being detectable by the body’s senses. Symptoms of CO poisoning can mimic the common flu. The CDC reports that the most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. If a person suspects elevated carbon monoxide levels, they should call 911.

Tips for carbon monoxide safety:

· If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting. Do not run a vehicle, generator, or other fueled engine or motor indoors even if garage doors are open.
· During and after a snow storm, make sure vents for dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
· When using a fireplace, open the flue for adequate ventilation.
· Have fuel-burning household heating equipment inspected annually.
· Only use barbecue grills outside.
· CO alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms.

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The Public Adjusters / Insurance Claim Consultants Inc. is a public insurance adjusting firm licensed in 11 states throughout the United States. The firm works exclusively for the policyholder, ensuring maximum settlement amounts are paid based upon the damage and policy provisions unique to each insurance claim. With over three decades of winning experience and more than 10,000 clients served, the Tampa-based firm of public loss adjusters and insurance consultants specialize in loss assessment adjusting for home and business owners that suffer property loss from hurricane damage, tornado damage, fire and smoke damage, water loss damage, sinkholes, flood damage, hidden decay and business interruption claims. Acting as an ally and personal advocate for its clients during the claims process, The Public Adjusters has negotiated hundreds of millions of dollars- including tens of millions in increased settlements- on behalf of property owners and managers. The firm of independent public loss adjusters boasts a 100% success rate in the re-opening of property insurance claims and has obtained settlements higher than 500% of the insurance company’s original offer. Company principle, Ronald Delo, is considered an industry- expert in property insurance lending his voice and expertise to numerous media outlets such as CNN, NBC and ABC, The New York Times and other media outlets to discuss property insurance issues and topics.