A house fire is a tragedy that you can easily avoid with a little common sense. Implementing a few practical fire prevention strategies in the home can keep your whole family safe and the house intact. Every homeowner should put something in place to protect their biggest investment.
Check the Smoke Alarms
Every home should have at least one smoke detector. Ideally, there will be one on every floor of the home and near any bedrooms. Smoke detectors are the first lines of defense for protecting your home from fire. Test the alarms once a month to make sure they’re still functioning. During the test, check the battery and change it as needed. Even if they’re working, you should still change the batteries once a year.
Install Fire Extinguishers Strategically
Fire extinguishers are necessary to have in every home. Keep fire extinguishers in areas of the home that are most likely to experience a fire. Since most house fires are caused by cooking-related incidents, the kitchen is the first place you should designate to have a fire extinguisher located. Most fires are caused by a resident leaving a hot oven or stove unattended. The grease fires can occur suddenly and can lead to panic. Water makes grease fires spread, and should not be used to try to extinguish a grease fire. A fire extinguisher in the kitchen provides quick access to extinguish grease fires. Fire extinguisher locations are also recommended near the clothes dryer and in the garage. Excessive lint can build up in the dryer, ignite, and cause a fire. Flammable materials are often stored in the garage. A fire extinguisher can knock down a small fire, can hopefully be extinguished be for a large, more danger fire involves flammable liquids, such as gasoline.
Have an Escape Plan
Devising and practicing a fire evacuation plan is another practical fire prevention strategy that will protect your home and your family. If a fire starts while everyone is asleep, there will be confusion, and surges of adrenaline could interfere with clear thinking and good judgment. That’s why it’s good to have an escape plan in place. Practicing the plan a few times will reinforce what everyone is supposed to do. When tragedy hits, your family will be ready and safe.
Put Flammables Away
Items such as nail polish remover, paint, and alcohol are part of every household. Many homes have gas cans in the garage for the lawn mower, too. However, all these things are flammable, which means they all pose risks for a fire. If you have young children, keep those things out of reach. Lighters and matches are also irresistible to curious children, so don’t temp fate—keep the flammables out of site and possibly secured with a lock. Separate stored products or rubbish from ignition sources. A hot muffler in rubbish-filled garage
Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions
Be certain to follow manufacturer’s instructions for products, such as grills, outdoor fireplaces, cookers, etc. Keep outdoor heat and cooking sources the recommended safe distance from your house.
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