The recent bouts of cold weather have not been limited to the northeast portion of the country. Specifically, the weather in Florida was unusually cold this past Winter, and Florida residents did what they could to stay warm. Unfortunately, since cold weather is so unusual in Florida, many residents do not know how to safely heat their homes. This, in connection with built-in heating systems that are infrequently used and maintained, often leads to an increase in Florida house fires when temperatures drop low enough to turn on the heat indoors.
Fire departments throughout Florida reported that they received a number of calls involving fires that were accidentally started by people who were trying to keep themselves warm. Space heaters, candles, ovens, and other heat sources can cause fires if they are used improperly. A recent fatal fire in Orange Park was caused by a space heater and exacerbated by the fact that smoke detectors in the home were not working. If your home does not have a heating system, be sure to select a safe and appropriate method for heating the areas of your home during a cold spell so that a fire will not leave you out in the cold. Use only heat sources that are approved for indoor use. Read all of the instructions regarding safe operation of the heater or other device that you plan to use, and follow the directions carefully. Also, check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure that they are working properly before using any indoor heat source, because these devices can save lives in the event of a fire.
In Sunrise, a central heating system is being investigated as the possible cause of an early morning fire which caused extensive damage to one family’s home. If your home has any type of heating system, it is important to check and maintain it regularly, even if it is infrequently used. Improperly maintained indoor heating systems create a risk of fire.
If your home or business is damaged by fire, you may be unable to occupy your home or business until some or all of the damage is repaired. Unfortunately, as with any type of insurance claim, fire damage claims may not get resolved as quickly as you would like them to. Hiring a fire damage claims attorney can help you to ensure that your fire damage claim gets the prompt attention that it deserves, and that you receive a fair settlement.
You can reach Miami Insurance Claims Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at [email protected].
