How to Prepare & Plan for a House Fire? - Fire Damage Repair
The fire damage repair professionals at Paul Davis know how serious home fires can be. Not only can home fires decimate your residence and personal belongings, but they are emotionally jarring and make you feel insecure. Fires can happen in a matter of minutes and can be produced by a number of things, and they can be out of your control such as natural disasters or your neighbor's house being on fire. However, there are a few precautions you can take to lessen the dangers of a home fire in your house.Fire Preparation - Property Recovery & Fire Escape Plans
One of the most important things you can do to plan for a home fire is to have safety practices in place. Because not all fires are avoidable, being safe is a necessity. All properties need the right amount of smoke alarms and fire extinguishers set throughout the property. Additionally, you should think about buying smoke alarms that detect smoke that is generated by electrical fires since damaged wiring is one of the primary culprits of home fires. Children in the home should be taught how a smoke alarm sounds when it's triggered and what to do when it does. Create plans for emergency fire routes and ensure everyone is mindful of them. There should always be two exits from all rooms in the house. Also, you'll need to have a designated meeting spot outside of the house so that you know everyone makes it out securely. It's also an excellent idea to create replicas digitally 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 the event that they are burned up by the flames. You can either create a list on paper or snap some photos or videos to document your property.What to Think about to Minimize House Fire Hazards
Here are a few things to keep in mind so you can lessen the hazards and perils that are correlated with home fires:- Fireplaces: It's essential to clean consistently and examine your fireplace for creosote and other damage. Use a fireplace screen that is strong and big enough to catch flying sparks and prevent logs from rolling.
- Portable Heaters: Not under any circumstance should you leave a space heater alone, and keep flammable or combustible objects three feet away from the heater. It's also fundamental for your portable heater to contain the right safety features. For example, the heater turns off when it falls over.
- Smoking: Indoor smoking makes your house exposed to home fires, so the best approach to prevent a disaster is to smoke outside. If you do smoke inside, have the proper ashtrays to inhibit a cigar or cigarette from rolling onto the ground. Nevertheless, if someone in the home is using oxygen, do not smoke inside since oxygen is very combustible.
- Children: Educate your kids that fire is not a toy, and be sure to store lighters and matches in a place that's out of reach and out of sight.
- Cooking: The kitchen is one of the most vulnerable places for a fire to occur. It's important to be aware of what's in the oven or on the stove, and when you have to step out, have someone watch over it until you come back.
- Appliances and Electrical: Worn down cords and damaged plugs could easily form a home fire, so be sure to examine your appliances routinely for any issues. Also, keep an eye on your light switches since if they're hot, they need to be changed.
