The Importance of Planning for House Fires - What to Prepare & Plan

When it comes to tough scenarios, there are events as taxing than a fire that destroys your house and personal possessions. Being a fire damage repair company, Paul Davis understands what a significant threat house fires are. Out of nowhere, all it takes is two minutes before a fire sparks. A fire in your house is a horrible and emotionally exhausting event, whether it damages everything or not. But you can prepare specific things to make sure that you are all set for when a fire happens.

Always Have an Emergency Plan in Place

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 strategies ready. Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are necessary, and always check that you have the proper amount to accommodate your residence. But you should consider using smoke alarms that can detect smoke from fires generated by electricity, because faulty wiring can be a cause of house fires. If there are children in the home, you'll want to train them on how the smoke alarm sounds and what to do when one goes off. Then get your emergency routes ready. Every member in the house should know two ways to escape from every room and where to gather outside when a fire occurs. Also, make sure that all members of the household know how to call 911 in the situation of a house fire. Also, it's a great idea to make digital copies of important documents such as birth certificates, and you should think about getting a strong box to store them in. Make a list of your personal belongings too in case they are consumed by the flames. Either create a list on a device or take photos or videos to catalog your property.

To Decrease the Dangers of House Fires Implement These Steps

Even though some fires aren't preventable, there are a few things you can do to decrease the probability of a fire from occurring in your house:

  • Cooking: It's vital to be watchful in the kitchen and to not ignore food being cooked alone. Without exception have someone there to watch what's going on.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Do a routine check on your appliances and make sure the plugs and cords are in good condition. If switches for your lights are hot to the touch, then it's time to replace them.
  • Portable Heaters: Guarantee your space heater has a control mechanism and a thermostat, and it should switch off if the heater falls over.
  • Fireplaces: Creosote is very combustible and it forms in your fireplace and chimney after it's been in use, so always get your fireplace cleaned and maintained consistently. Having a big, durable screen is also vital to prevent sparks from coming into the room and log rollovers.
  • Children: Teach your kids that fire is not a toy, and make sure to store lighters and matches in a location that is out of sight and out of reach.
  • Smoking: Smoking outside is the best way to counter a house fire from happening. It's of the utmost importance to not smoke indoors if someone in the residence is using oxygen because it is highly combustible. If you smoke indoors, don't smoke in bed and while lethargic and have ashtrays that are deep.

For Fire Damage Repair Services - Get in Touch with Paul for First-Rate Assistance Today

Immediately reach out to the professional fire damage repair team at Paul Davis if your residence has had a fire. Our professional technicians can re-mediate any fire damage and get your residence back in a livable condition. For a Paul Davis franchise near you, contact us at 888-473-7669.