The Significance of Preparing for Home Fires - How to Prepare & Plan

As far as destructive accidents go there are few things as overwhelming as a fire that damages your house and possessions. A fire in your home is a harrowing and an intensely draining event, whether it destroys everything or not. But there are specific precautions you can take to lessen the chances of a fire from occurring in your house. The fire damage restoration team from Paul Davis knows the severe condition of home fires and that's why it's crucial to know how to plan and prepare your residence and what to do when a fire happens.

Fire Preparation - Property Recovery & Emergency Plans

All home fires aren't avoidable and you can only do so much. That is why it's necessary to have safety plans in place. Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are necessary, and always check that you have the proper amount to accommodate your residence. But you should consider installing smoke alarms that can detect smoke from electrical fires, because faulty wiring can be a cause of home fires. When you have kids, you'll want to teach them on what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when in the case where one goes off. Execute fire escape routes and make sure everybody knows about them. There should always be two exits out of all rooms in the property. Also, you'll want to have a designated meeting location outside of the property so that you know everybody makes it out safely. Taking inventory of your personal possessions is an excellent idea for insurance purposes in case all your property is damaged by the flames. You'll also want to preserve important things such as birth certificates and passports in a strong box, and you can create digital copies and upload them to a cloud drive for added measure.

Things to Be Mindful of to Lessen Home Fire Dangers

Here are some aspects to keep in mind so you can decrease the dangers and perils that are correlated with home fires:

  • Smoking: Outdoor smoking is the best way to avoid a home fire from occurring. It's of the utmost importance to not smoke inside if someone in the property is on oxygen because oxygen is highly combustible. When you smoke indoors, don't smoke while drowsy or in bed and have ashtrays with tall walls.
  • Children: Train your children that fire is not something to play with, and be sure to keep your matches and lighters in a safe place that's out of reach and out of sight.
  • Fireplaces: Getting a proper fireplace screen is essential for the safety of your property and everybody who resides in it. Ensure that it's sturdy enough to prevent rolling logs and flares. In addition, you should clean and maintain your fireplace and chimney consistently to rid the intensely combustible creosote that forms.
  • Portable Heaters: Not under any condition should you allow a portable heater neglected, and keep flammable items three feet away from the heater. It's also crucial for your heater to contain the proper safety features. For instance, it turning off when it tips over.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Do a habitual examination on your appliances and make sure the cords and plugs are in good condition. Also, when your light switches are hot to the touch, then it's time to switch them out.
  • Cooking: The kitchen is one of the more vulnerable places for a fire to occur. It's crucial to be aware of what's in the oven or on the stove, and if you need to leave, have somebody keep an eye on it until you come back.

Call the Fire Damage Restoration Professionals at Paul Davis

Immediately get in touch with the professional fire damage restoration team at Paul Davis if your property has had a fire. Our professional technicians can re-mediate any fire damage and get your home back in good condition. For a Paul Davis franchise near you, reach out to us at 888-473-7669.