Prepare & Plan for a House Fire - Advice from Fire Damage Restoration Professionals
The fire damage restoration professionals at Paul Davis know how damaging home fires can be. Not only can home fires demolish your home and personal possessions, but they are emotionally jarring and make you feel insecure. Fires can occur without a moment's notice and can be produced by a number of things, and they can be out of your control such as your neighbor's house being on fire or natural disasters. Yet, there are still some steps you can implement to lessen the risk of a home fire in your house.At All Times - Have a Fire Escape Strategy in Position
When it comes to home fires, not all of them are in your control and can't be avoided. That is why the most effective thing for you to do is have safety procedures ready. Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are a must, and make sure you have the right number to suit your residence. Yet, you should think about installing smoke alarms that can detect smoke from electrical fires, because defective wiring is one of the main causes of home fires. If there are children in the home, you'll want to teach them on what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when one goes off. Some other precautions include outlining fire escape routes in your house. Design a strategy and make sure everyone in the home knows the emergency fire escape routes – there needs to be two exits for each room in the home. It's also critical to have a planned meeting spot outside so you know who gets out of the home and who is absent. It's also a good idea to create replicas digitally of important documents such as birth certificates, and you should consider a fire safety box to store them in. Make a list of your personal possessions as well in case they are burned up by the flames. Either make a list or snap some pictures or videos to catalog your stuff.What to Keep in Mind to Lessen House Fire Hazards
There are some aspects to be aware of so you can minimize the perils and dangers that are associated with home fires:- Cooking: It's important to be attentive in the kitchen and to not ignore cooking food alone. Without exception have someone there to keep an eye on everything going on.
- Appliances and Electrical: Do a habitual examination on your electrical appliances and make sure the plugs and cords are in working condition. If switches for your lights are hot to the touch, then it's time to replace them.
- Portable Heaters: Check that your space heater has a thermostat and a control mechanism, and it needs to turn off if the heater falls over on its side.
- Fireplaces: It's necessary to clean routinely and examine your fireplace and chimney for creosote and other damage. Use a fireplace screen that is strong and large enough to prevent logs from rolling and catch flying sparks.
- Children: Train your kids that fire is not something to play with, and be sure to keep your lighters and matches in an area that is out of sight and out of reach.
- Smoking: Inside smoking makes your home exposed to home fires, so the finest way to prevent a calamity is to smoke outdoors. If you do smoke indoors, make sure you have proper ashtrays to prevent a cigarette or cigar from rolling onto the floor. But if someone in the house is on oxygen, do not smoke indoors because oxygen is extremely combustible.
