Fire Damage Restoration Professional Guide - Planning for a House Fire
As far as cataclysmic disasters go there aren't many incidents as overwhelming as a fire that destroys your property and belongings. A fire in your house is a harrowing and an emotionally draining event, whether it ruins everything or not. But there are some measures you can take to decrease the chances of a fire from occurring in your residence. The fire damage restoration team from Paul Davis understands the severe situation of home fires and that's why it's vital to know how to plan and prepare your property and what to do when a fire happens.Have an Emergency Plan at All Times in Place
When it comes to home fires, not all of them are can be in control and can't be prevented. That is why it's necessary to have safety plans ready. Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are necessary, and always check that you have the correct number to suit your home. But you should consider using smoke alarms that can catch smoke from electrical fires, because damaged wiring can be a cause of home fires. When there are children in the home, 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. Some other precautions consist of planning fire escape routes in your residence. Design a strategy and make sure everyone in the home knows the fire escape routes – there should be two exits for every room in the home. It's also crucial to have a planned meeting spot outside so you know who gets out of the home and who is absent. Making a record of your personal property is a good idea for insurance reasons in case all your stuff is destroyed by the flames. Additionally, you'll want to keep important things such as birth certificates and passports in a strong box, and you can make digital copies and upload them to a cloud drive for added measure.What to Keep in Mind to Minimize House Fire Dangers
While some fires aren't avoidable, there are a few things you can do to decrease the prospect of a fire from occurring in your residence:- Fireplaces: Getting a legitimate fireplace screen is integral for the safety of your house and everyone who lives in it. Make sure it is strong enough to stop flares and logs that roll. You also should clean and maintain your fireplace consistently to erase the extremely flammable creosote that develops.
- Portable Heaters: Make sure your space heater has a thermostat and a control mechanism, and it should switch off if it falls over.
- Smoking: Cigarettes and cigars are severe risks for fire, and smoking outside is the best approach to prevent a home fire. When you smoke indoors, see that you have ashtrays with deep walls and that you never smoke in bed or while you're lethargic. Also, never smoke indoors when someone in the home is on oxygen since this is very explosive.
- Children: Keep any lighters or matches in an area that is out of sight and out of reach from children to avoid their curiosity from lighting a fire. Explain to your children that fire is not a toy too.
- Cooking: It's critical to be attentive in the kitchen and to not ignore food being cooked alone. Without exception have someone there to monitor everything going on.
- Appliances and Electrical: Worn down cords and damaged plugs could easily start a home fire, so be sure to check your appliances regularly for any problems. In addition, check up on the switches for your lights because if they're hot, they need to be changed.
