The Importance of Preparing for Home Fires - What to Prepare & Plan
The fire damage restoration experts at Paul Davis understand how damaging home fires can be. Not only can home fires demolish your home and personal possessions, but they are emotionally unsettling and make you feel insecure. Fires can occur in a matter of minutes and can be produced by lots of things, and they can be out of your control such as natural disasters or your neighbor's house being on fire. But there are still a few steps you can take to lessen the risk of a home fire in your home.At All Times - Have a Fire Escape Strategy in Position
One of the more critical things you can do to plan for a home fire is to have safety practices in place. Since not all fires are preventable, being safe is essential. Every home needs the proper amount of fire extinguishers and smoke alarms set around the property. Additionally, you should think about buying smoke alarms that detect smoke that is generated by electrical fires because damaged wiring is one of the main culprits of home fires. Kids in the home should be instructed on what the smoke alarm sounds like when it's triggered and what to do when it does. Come up with fire escape routes and ensure everyone knows about them. It's vital to have two exits out of all rooms in the residence. Also, you'll need to have a designated meeting location outside of the residence so that you're sure everyone gets out safely. Taking inventory of your personal belongings is a good idea for insurance purposes in case all your stuff is damaged by the flames. Additionally, you'll want to keep valuable things such as birth certificates and passports in a strong box, and you can make digital copies and upload them to a cloud drive for added measure.To Decrease the Risks of a Fire in Your Home Practice These Measures
Although some fires are uncontrollable, here are some procedures you should implement to avoid a home fire:- Fireplaces: It's necessary to regularly clean and inspect your fireplace and chimney for creosote and other damage. Use a fireplace screen that is sturdy and large enough to catch sparks and prevent logs from rolling.
- Portable Heaters: Make sure your space heater has a control mechanism and a thermostat, and it needs to switch off if the heater falls over.
- Smoking: Smoking outside is the best approach to counter a home fire from occurring. Don't smoke indoors if someone in the property is using oxygen because oxygen is highly combustible. When you smoke inside, don't smoke while lethargic or in bed and have ashtrays that are deep.
- Children: Train your children that fire is not something to play with, and be sure to keep your lighters and matches in a secure spot that is out of reach and out of sight.
- Cooking: It's critical to be aware in the kitchen and to not leave cooking food unattended. Without exception have someone there to monitor everything going on.
- Appliances and Electrical: Do a periodic check on your electrical appliances and ensure the cords and plugs are in working condition. If your light switches are hot to the touch, then you need to replace them.