Fire Damage Prevention With Air Conditioning Units

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Spring is the perfect time to prepare your home for the warmer months upon us.  Using our air conditioning units is one daily routine that we should prepare for with the proper precautions. 

Like many household applicances, air conditioners have a risk of starting a fire.  They also cause a substantial amount of household fires during the summer.  Therefore, it is important to hire a certified professional to inspect and repair any issues with the unit before the warmer weather begins.  Below, we list a few preventative actions you can take to prevent fire damage in your Elkton home or facility due to an air conditioning unit.

• Avoid using the AC unit at all hours of the day.  Overuse can cause the unit to overheat.  Therefore, turning off the unit when the temperature begins to cool down, or when you are not home is a smart and safe way to prevent the unit from heating up.

• Regularly have your unit inspected and cleaned by a professional.  The unit should be checked for technical malfunctions as well as for dirt and debris that can build up and cause a fire hazard.  The filter in the unit should also be changed each month.

• Flammable materials such as leaves should be cleared away from the unit.  The buildup on an AC unit can potentially cause fire damage.

• If you have a window unit, make sure that rain will not drip onto the electrical components.  Extension cords should not be used for window units, since they can overheat.

SERVPRO of Cecil County provides complete fire restoration services to our local Elkton community.  We offer cleaning, smoke and soot removal, and full reconstruction services in addition to other fire damage needs.  Should your Cecil County property experience a fire due to an air conditioner disaster or other issue, our fire restoration professionals are always prepared to help restore your property!