If you smoke, you may find yourself choosing to smoke inside your home. While this may seem like the more convenient option, it does open you up to the risk of a house fire if you aren’t careful. However, by following some essential safety practices, indoor smokers can minimize these risks and keep their homes and loved ones safe. If you’re an indoor smoker and you’d like to learn more about how to protect yourself and your space from this risk, keep reading to see what our team recommends.
1. Never Smoke in Bed
Choosing to smoke in your bed is extremely dangerous, no matter how careful you try to be. If you fall asleep while smoking, there is a high risk that a lit cigarette could ignite bedding, pillows, or other flammable materials around you. Indoor smokers should always avoid smoking when they’re drowsy or in bed to prevent the ignition of a house fire.
2. Keep Ashtrays Away from Flammable Items
If you smoke, you might have several ashtrays across your space. While this is a great way to dispose of ash, it is essential that you keep these away from any flammable materials. When setting down bottles, books, magazines, and other clutter, indoor smokers should remember to keep them as far away from an ashtray as possible to prevent a fire. Additionally, be mindful when tapping off ash to ensure it doesn’t land on this clutter.
3. Fully Extinguish the Cigarette
While there are a lot of things you can do to protect yourself while smoking, there is one thing you should do once you’ve finished smoking as well. Before disposing of cigarette butts in a garbage can, make sure they are completely out. Dunk them in water or sand to ensure there are no live embers left that could ignite a fire.
4. Don’t Smoke Near Oxygen Tanks
You may not realize it, but medical oxygen can make a small spark explode into a large fire. If you or someone in your home uses oxygen, it’s critical to never smoke around it. Indoor smokers should store and use oxygen tanks properly, following all safety guidelines. This proper storage and usage is essential for protecting your space from these unexpected fires.
5. Avoid Smoking Around Children and Pets
When children and pets are running around your home, choosing to smoke around them can significantly impact their health; this isn’t the only risk you face, though. Smoking with them in the house may also lead to accidents. Keep smoking materials out of reach, and be mindful of lit cigarettes around little ones and animals who may knock them over.
6. Check for Smoldering Cigarettes Before Leaving Home
Before leaving home for work, errands, and appointments, you may choose to smoke a cigarette. This leaves your home at risk of an unattended fire, which can quickly ravage your space. Indoor smokers should always double-check that all smoking materials are extinguished before they leave the house or go to bed. It only takes a small ember to start a fire, so taking a minute to check can save your home.
7. Install Plenty of Smoke Detectors
While this isn’t exclusive to indoor smokers, it is essential that you install plenty of smoke detectors throughout your home to avoid unexpected house fires. Make sure they’re installed in every bedroom, hallway, living area, and any other place you may choose to smoke. Test them regularly and replace the batteries at least once a year to ensure they work properly.
8. Avoid Smoking While Under the Influence or Tired
Some smokers may choose to smoke a cigarette while out having a drink with friends or before ending their day. Smoking when you’re tired, under the influence of alcohol, or using drugs can impair your judgment and increase the risk of falling asleep with a lit cigarette. If you’re feeling drowsy or impaired, it’s safer to avoid smoking altogether.
9. Keep Lighters and Matches Out of Reach
When you have children in the home, there are a lot of things you keep out of reach for their safety, and indoor smokers should do the same for matches and lighters. These should be stored as far from their reach and securely to ensure they can’t get knocked down and picked up by children. This will help prevent accidental fires caused by kids playing with them.
10. Use a Sturdy Ashtray
You may like the appearance of quirky or cute ashtrays, but these might not always be the best choice for your space. Indoor smokers should use ashtrays that are wide, deep, and made of non-flammable materials. Ensure they’re placed on sturdy, flat surfaces to prevent tipping. Avoid placing ashtrays on couches, beds, or any other soft surfaces where an accidental tip could cause a fire.
11. Dispose of Ash Properly
If you clean out ashtrays, be cautious about where you dispose of the ashes. Don’t throw them directly into the trash, especially if there are flammable items inside. Dispose of ashes in a metal container filled with water or sand to ensure they’re completely extinguished.
12. Consider Smoking Outside
One of the easiest and best ways for indoor smokers to protect themselves from house fires is by choosing to smoke outside. Not only does this minimize the chance of indoor fires, but it also improves indoor air quality for non-smokers in your home.
Helping Indoor Smokers Recover from House Fires
While smoking indoors can be convenient, it’s crucial to take steps to prevent fire hazards. By following these safety tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidental fires and keep your home and family safe. Always remain vigilant and mindful whenever smoking, and consider reducing indoor smoking or switching to smoke-free alternatives to protect everyone in your household.
If you are an indoor smoker who is recovering from a recent house fire, turn to our team at BluSky for support. With years of experience helping homeowners across Utah recover from these fires, we’re confident that we can do the same for you. Whether it’s minor smoke damage or major restoration, we’re ready to help you address it all.
When you’re ready to begin house fire restoration, contact our team across Utah for support.