In the Case of a Fire - Prepare and Plan Ahead
When it comes to hard circumstances, there are events as taxing than a fire that sabotages your home and personal property. Being a fire damage repair company, Paul Davis understands what a severe threat home fires are. Without any signs, it just takes a couple of minutes before flames are ignited. A fire in your residence is a frightful and emotionally exhausting situation, even if it damages everything or not. However, you can undertake specified things to ensure that you are all set for when a fire happens.The Value of Emergency Plans
When it comes to home fires, not all of them are can be in control and can't be prevented. That is why the most crucial thing you can do is have safety procedures ready. Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are a must, and always check that you have the proper amount to accommodate your property. However, you should think about using smoke alarms that can identify smoke from electrical fires, because damaged wiring can be a cause of home fires. If you have children, you'll want to instruct them on how the smoke alarm sounds and what to do when one goes off. Create fire escape routes and make sure everyone knows about them. There should always be two exits out of all rooms in the house. Also, you'll need to have a planned meeting area outside of the house so that you're sure everyone gets out safely. It's also an excellent idea to make replicas digitally of important documents such as birth certificates, and you should consider a strong box to store them in. Make a list of your personal possessions as well in the event that they are engulfed in flames. Either prepare a list or snap some photos or videos to catalog your property.What to Keep in Mind to Minimize Home Fire Risk
While some fires aren't avoidable, there are a few things you can do to decrease the probability of a fire from developing in your residence:- Smoking: Cigarettes and cigars are serious fire threats, and taking your smoking outside is the perfect way to avoid a home fire. If you smoke indoors, make sure you have ashtrays with deep walls and that under any situation you don't smoke in bed or while you're lethargic. In addition, never smoke indoors if someone in the home is using oxygen as this is highly explosive.
- Children: Teach your children that fire is not a toy, and make sure to keep your matches and lighters in an area that's out of sight and out of reach.
- Fireplaces: Creosote is extremely combustible and it builds up in your fireplace after it's been used, so make sure to get your fireplace cleaned consistently. Getting a large, sturdy screen is also necessary to avoid sparks from entering the room and rolling logs.
- Portable Heaters: Make sure your heater has a thermostat and a control mechanism, and it should turn off if the heater falls over.
- Appliances and Electrical: Frayed cords and broken plugs could easily generate a home fire, so make sure to examine your appliances regularly for any problems. Additionally, keep an eye on your light switches because if they're hot, they need to be changed.
- Cooking: Always stay in the area while food is on the stove or in the oven and don't leave it alone. If you need to step out of the area, get someone to keep an eye on the food until you come back.
