The Importance of Planning for House Fires - What to Plan & Prepare
As far as detrimental accidents go there are few things as staggering as a fire that damages your home and personal belongings. A fire in your house is a frightening and an intensely draining situation, whether it destroys everything or not. But there are specific precautions you can implement to lessen the likelihood of a fire from happening in your residence. The fire damage repair team from Paul Davis understands the severe situation of home fires and that's why it's fundamental to know how to plan and prepare your house and what to do when a fire occurs.Preparation for Home Fire - Property Recovery & Emergency Plans
Safety should be the number one priority when preparing for a home fire, and fire extinguishers and smoke alarms should be placed throughout the home. Smoke alarms are vital because a fire could come out of nowhere and you need to do something as quickly as possible. Another thing to think about with smoke alarms is buying ones that can detect smoke generated from electrical fires. Lastly, any kids living in the home need to be instructed on what a smoke alarm sounds like when it's triggered and what to do when it occurs. Create fire escape routes and ensure everyone knows about them. It's critical to have two exits from each room in the property. You'll also need to have a planned meeting location outside of the property so that you're sure everyone gets out safely. Also, it's an excellent idea to make digital copies of important documents such as birth certificates, and you should consider a strong box to store them in. Record all of your personal possessions too in case they are engulfed in flames. You could either create a list on paper or take pictures or videos to record your property.What to Think about to Decrease House Fire Risk
Although some fires are out of your control, there are some procedures you should implement to prevent a home fire:- Smoking: Outdoor smoking is the a great method to avoid a home fire from happening. Don't smoke inside if someone in the property is on oxygen because it is highly combustible. If you smoke inside, don't smoke while drowsy or in bed and have ashtrays that are deep.
- Children: Store any lighters or matches in a location that is out of sight and out of reach from children to stop their inquisitive nature from lighting a fire. Explain to your children that fire is not a toy too.
- Fireplaces: Creosote is very combustible and it forms in your fireplace and chimney after it's been in use, so make sure to get your fireplace cleaned and maintained routinely. Obtaining a big, strong screen is also important to prevent sparks from coming into the room and rolling logs.
- Portable Heaters: Never leave a portable heater unattended, and keep flammable items three feet away from it. It's also crucial for your space heater to contain the proper features for safety. For instance, it turning off when it tips over.
- Appliances and Electrical: Frayed cords and broken plugs could easily produce a home fire, so make sure to examine your appliances regularly for any problems. In addition, check up on your light switches because if they're hot, they need to be replaced.
- Cooking: It's of the utmost importance to be conscientious in the kitchen and to not ignore food being cooked unattended. Always have someone there to watch everything going on.
