Plan & Prepare for a House Fire - Guidance from Fire Damage Repair Experts

The fire damage repair experts from Paul Davis know how disastrous house fires are. Not only can house fires ruin your home and personal possessions, but they are emotionally disconcerting and make you feel insecure. Fires can happen in a matter of minutes and can be caused by lots 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 some steps you can take to decrease the risk of a house fire in your house.

Form and Implement an Emergency Plan

One of the most fundamental things you can do to prepare for a house fire is to have safety rules ready. Since not all fires are avoidable, being safe is fundamental. Every house needs the correct amount of fire extinguishers and smoke alarms placed around the property. You should also consider buying smoke alarms that identify smoke that is produced by electrical fires because faulty wiring is one of the main culprits of house fires. Kids in the house should be taught how a smoke alarm sounds when it goes off and what to do when this happens. Then have your fire escape program ready. Every member in the property needs to know two ways to get out from every room and where to assemble outside when a fire happens. Additionally, make sure that all members of the household know how to call 911 in the case of an emergency. It's also a great idea to make digital copies of worthy documents such as birth certificates, and you should think about getting a fire safety box to store them in. Make a list of your personal possessions too in case they are engulfed in flames. You could either make a list on paper or snap some pictures or videos to catalog your things.

To Minimize the Dangers of a Fire in Your Home Implement These Steps

Despite the fact that some fires are uncontrollable, there are some safety measures you should implement to avoid a house fire:

  • Fireplaces: Creosote is extremely flammable and it builds up in your fireplace and chimney after it's been in use, so make sure to get your fireplace cleaned and maintained consistently. Obtaining a big, durable screen is also vital to avoid sparks from entering the room and rolling logs.
  • Portable Heaters: It's of the utmost importance to keep any combustible or flammable items at least three feet away from a space heater. {In addition,} you will want your space heater to have a control mechanism as well as other safety features such as turning off when it falls over.
  • Smoking: Smoking outside is the a great method to avoid a house fire from occurring. It's crucial to not smoke indoors if someone in the property is using oxygen because oxygen is very combustible. If you smoke indoors, don't smoke while drowsy or in bed and have ashtrays with tall walls.
  • Children: Keep any lighters or matches in an area that is out of sight and out of reach from children to prevent their curiosity from starting a fire. Educate your children that fire is not something to play with as well.
  • Cooking: It's essential to be watchful in the kitchen and to not ignore food being cooked unattended. Always have somebody there to monitor what's going on.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Worn down cords and broken plugs could easily spawn a house fire, so make sure to examine your appliances routinely for any problems. In addition, keep an eye on your light switches because if they're hot, they have to be replaced.

Get in Touch with the Experienced Fire Damage Repair Professionals from Paul Davis

House fires happen, whether it's something completely out of your control or an accident, Paul Davis is here to help out. Our fire damage repair services can restore your residence back to normal again. Reach out to us at 888-473-7669 and a franchise near your location will be there for you.