Fire Damage Repair Professional Guide - Planning for a House Fire

As far as cataclysmic disasters go there are few things as devastating as a fire that ruins your house and belongings. A fire in your residence is a harrowing and an emotionally draining event, whether it ruins everything or not. But there are specific measures you can implement to decrease the odds of a fire from occurring in your house. The fire damage repair team from Paul Davis understands the severe situation of house fires and that's why it's vital to know how to prepare your home and what to do when a fire occurs.

Form and Practice an Emergency Plan for Your Home

One of the most critical things you can do to prepare for a house fire is to have safety rules in place. Because not all fires are avoidable, being safe is essential. All properties need the correct amount of smoke alarms and fire extinguishers placed throughout the property. You should also think about getting smoke alarms that trigger from smoke that is generated by electrical fires because damaged wiring is one of the primary culprits of house fires. Children in the house should be taught what the smoke alarm sounds like when it goes off and what to do when this occurs. Create emergency plans for fire routes and ensure everyone is mindful of them. Always have two exits from every room in the residence. You'll also need to have a designated meeting location outside of the residence so that you're sure everyone gets out securely. Taking inventory of your personal possessions is a good idea for insurance reasons in case all your stuff is destroyed by the flames. You'll also want to keep important things such as passports and birth certificates in a strong box, and you can create digital replicas and upload them to a cloud drive for added measure.

To Decrease the Hazards of House Fires Perform These Precautions

There are some aspects to recognize so you can lessen the risks and hazards that are commonly correlated with house fires:

  • Smoking: Cigars and cigarettes are extreme hazards for fire, and smoking outside is the finest way to avoid a house fire. When you smoke indoors, check that you have ashtrays with deep walls and that under any circumstance you don't smoke in bed or while you're lethargic. Additionally, never smoke indoors if someone in the house is using oxygen as this is very explosive.
  • Children: Explain to your kids that fire is not something to play with, and make sure to store your matches and lighters in a secure location that's out of reach and out of sight.
  • Fireplaces: Creosote is very flammable and it develops in your fireplace and chimney after it's been used, so always get your fireplace cleaned and maintained consistently. Getting a big, durable screen is also important to avoid sparks from flying into the room and rolling logs.
  • Portable Heaters: Guarantee your heater has a control mechanism and a thermostat, and it needs to switch off if it falls over.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Do a routine examination on your electrical appliances and ensure the cords and plugs are in good condition. If switches for your lights are hot to the touch, then you need to switch them out.
  • Cooking: It's fundamental to be watchful in the kitchen and to not ignore food being cooked unattended. Always have someone there to keep an eye on what's going on.

Call the Fire Damage Repair Professionals at Paul Davis

Immediately contact the professional fire damage repair team at Paul Davis if your residence has had a fire. Our skillful contractors can restore any fire damage and have your residence back in good condition. For a Paul Davis franchise near your location, reach out to us at 888-473-7669.