A house fire can change your life in a matter of minutes. That’s why you should know how to prevent fires. Most house fires are caused by smoke, candles, and cooking. However, there are other fire risks to look for as well. We explain how you can prevent home fires.
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How to Prevent Home Fires
You can prevent fires by following these ten simple steps.
1. Check Your Smoke Alarms
The best way to prevent a fire in the home is to install smoke alarms in all major rooms and bedrooms. You should have at least one smoke alarm on every floor, as well as in your garage. Make sure you test each smoke alarm every month and replace the batteries every six months.
2. Have a Fire Extinguisher on Every Floor
In addition to smoke alarms, you should have at least one fire extinguisher on every floor and in the kitchen. You should review the instructions at least once a year and replace them after the expiration date.
3. Never Smoke When Tired
One of the biggest risks of home fires is falling asleep while smoking. You can prevent home fires by not smoking in be or when tired. Put cigarettes out in a heavy ashtray and empty it regularly.
4. Burn Candles Safely
You should never leave candles burning for more than one hour and always blow them out when you leave the room.
Use a heavy candle holder that will not tip over or catch on fire and never burn them all the way down to the end. Also, make sure your watch children and pets when burning candles.
5. Cook with Caution
You can also prevent home fires by cooking carefully. Never leave food on the stove or in the oven unattended. If you need to leave the room even for a minute, take the pan off the heat and shut off the burner.
6. Use Space Heaters Properly
Remember to keep your space heaters at least three feet away from other objects. You should shut off the heater when you go to sleep or if you leave the room. Also, keep them out of the way of children and pets to prevent accidents.
7. Store Matches Out of Reach of Children
Keep matches and lighters in a high place, out of reach of children. Do not allow children to play with matches or lighters and teach them about fire safety. Likewise, do not allow children to play with gas-powered burners or other flammable items.
8. Clean Dryer Lint Traps
Another way to prevent house fires is to clean the lint trap on your dryer after every load. Check the exhaust ductwork on your dryer every year for lint buildup and replace it as necessary. Avoid crushing or crimping accordion-style dryer ductwork, as this can cause heat and exhaust to build up and start a house fire.
9. Check Electrical Cords
Although rare, a frayed or damaged electrical cord and cause a fire as well. Prevent fires by checking cords for damage before plugging them in. You should never daisy-chain extension cords or overload electrical sockets as well. Also, avoid running electrical cords under carpeting or furniture.
10. Properly Store Flammable Materials
Store flammable materials away from sources of heat, flames, and sparks. This includes fuels, oil, lubricants, and oil-based paints and stains. Ideally, you should store flammable items in airtight containers.
What To Do After a House Fire
For smaller fires, use baking soda or a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. If the fire is larger, immediately call your local fire department. Use a fire extinguisher to block the flames while you evacuate your home. If the fire department responded to a fire in your home, wait until either they or a licensed fire inspector clears you to reenter your home.
Take photos of the damage for your insurance claim. Document the cause of the fire, steps you took to put the fire out, a list of your smoke alarm and fire extinguisher locations, and whether the fire department was called. In most cases, fire damage cleanup is covered by your insurance. Review your insurance policy or contact your agent for more information.
Begin fire damage cleanup as quickly as possible after a house fire to prevent permanent smoke and soot stains. When possible, begin fire damage cleanup within 24 to 48 hours of a home fire to limit the extent of the smoke and soot damage. Additionally, try to complete your fire cleanup within a few days of the fire. The longer you take to clean up the damage, the less likely you’ll completely remove the damage.
Do you have smoke or soot damage after a fire? Call 1-877-941-2788 now to get a free quote on fire damage cleanup.
