How to Prepare for a Fire on Your Property? - Fire Damage Restoration
The fire damage restoration experts at Paul Davis know how severe house fires are. Not only can house fires demolish your home and personal belongings, but they are emotionally unsettling and make you feel insecure. Fires can happen in a matter of minutes and can be generated by a number of variables, so a lot of the time they're out of your control such as natural disasters or your neighbor's house being on fire. But there are a few steps you can implement to minimize the dangers of a house fire in your home.Always Have a Fire Escape Plan in Position
One of the most fundamental things you can do to prepare for a house fire is to have safety practices ready. Because not all fires are avoidable, being safe is necessary. All properties need the proper amount of smoke alarms and fire extinguishers set around the property. You should also think about purchasing smoke alarms that trigger from smoke that is produced by electrical fires because faulty wiring is one of the primary causes of house fires. Kids in the house should be educated on what the smoke alarm sounds like when it's triggered and what to do when this occurs. Come up with fire escape routes and ensure everybody is attentive of them. There should be two exits out of each room in the house. You'll also need to have a designated meeting area outside of the house so that you're sure everybody makes it out safely. Making a record of your personal property is a good idea for insurance reasons in case all your property is demolished by the flames. You'll also want to preserve important items such as birth certificates and passports in a strong box, and you can make digital replicas and upload them to a cloud drive for back ups.To Minimize the Dangers of Home Fires Implement These Measures
Although some fires are uncontrollable, here are some safety measures you should execute to prevent a house fire:- Smoking: Smoking outside is the best way to avoid a house fire from occurring. It's imperative to not smoke inside if someone in the home is using oxygen since it is very combustible. When you smoke indoors, don't smoke while drowsy or in bed and have ashtrays with tall walls.
- Children: Keep any matches or lighters in a location that is out of sight and out of reach from kids to prevent their curiosity from lighting a fire. Teach your kids that fire is not a toy as well.
- Fireplaces: Creosote is highly combustible and it builds up in your fireplace after it's been in use, so always get your fireplace cleaned routinely. Having a large, strong screen is also crucial to prevent sparks from flying into the room and rolling logs.
- Portable Heaters: Never leave a portable heater unattended, and keep flammable or combustible items three feet away from it. It's also important for your portable heater to contain the proper safety features. For example, it shutting off when it tips over.
- Appliances and Electrical: Examine your light switches to see if they have to be replaced. When you touch them and they're hot, that's a clue that they're faulty. Another thing you have to do is examine your electrical appliances for worn out cords and defective plugs.
- Cooking: Always remain in the kitchen during the time you're cooking and don't leave it unattended. When you have to step out of the kitchen, get somebody to watch over the food until you come back.
