How to Prepare & Plan for a House Fire? - Fire Damage Restoration
The fire damage restoration professionals from Paul Davis understand how severe home fires can be. Not only can home fires destroy your home and personal belongings, but they are emotionally jarring and make you feel insecure. Fires can happen in a matter of minutes and can be caused by lots of things, so a lot of the time they're out of your control like natural disasters or your neighbor's house being on fire. But there are still some precautions you can implement to lessen the dangers of a home fire in your home.Process and Practice an Emergency Plan
When it comes to house fires, not all of them are in your control and can't be stopped. That is why the most critical thing you can do is have safety procedures in place. Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are a must, and always check that you have the correct number to suit your home. But you should think about installing smoke alarms that can detect smoke from fires produced by electricity, since damaged wiring is one of the main causes of home fires. When you have children, you'll want to teach them on how the smoke alarm sounds and what to do when in the situation where one goes off. Some other precautions consist of planning out fire escape routes in your home. Design a strategy and ensure everyone in the home understands the fire escape routes – there needs to be two exits for each room in the house. Also, it's fundamental to have a designated meeting spot outside so you know who gets out of the home and who is absent. Also, it's a great idea to create digital copies of valuable documents like birth certificates, and you should consider a fire safety box to store them in. Take inventory of your personal belongings too in case they are burned up by the flames. Either create a list on paper or take pictures or videos to record your stuff.Things to Keep in Mind to Decrease House Fire Dangers
Here are some things to recognize so you can decrease the risks and hazards that are correlated with home fires:- Portable Heaters: Never allow a portable space heater neglected, and keep flammable or combustible objects three feet away from the heater. It's also crucial for your heater to contain the proper safety features. For example, it shutting off when it falls over.
- Appliances and Electrical: Perform a periodic examination on your appliances and ensure the plugs and cords are in working condition. If switches for your lights are hot to the touch, then you need to replace them.
- Children: Teach your children that fire is not a toy, and be sure to store your matches and lighters in an area that is out of sight and out of reach.
- Cooking: The kitchen is one of the most common places for a fire to develop. It's fundamental to pay attention to what's on the stove or in the oven, and when you have to leave, have someone watch over it until you come back.
- Smoking: Cigarettes and cigars are severe risks for fire, and smoking outside is the best method to prevent a home fire. When you smoke inside, see that you have deep ashtrays and that you never smoke in bed or while you're drowsy. Also, never smoke inside when someone in the home is using oxygen as this is highly combustible.
- Fireplaces: Creosote is very combustible and it builds up in your fireplace after it's been used, so always get your fireplace cleaned and maintained routinely. Having a large, strong screen is also fundamental to prevent sparks from coming into the room and rolling logs.
