Prepare & Plan for a Home Fire - Guidance from Fire Damage Restoration Professionals
When it comes to tough life events, there few events as draining than a fire that destroys your house and personal property. As a fire damage restoration company, Paul Davis understands what a dangerous threat house fires are. Out of the blue, all it takes is a couple of minutes before a fire sparks. A fire in your home is a frightful and emotionally exhausting event, even if it destroys everything or not. But you can execute specific things to ensure that you are all set for when a fire occurs.Prep Your Home for the Possibility of a Fire & Have a Fire Escape Strategy Prepared at All Times
Not all house fires are preventable and you can only do so much. That's why the most critical thing for you to do is have safety strategies ready. Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are necessary, and always check that you have the proper amount to suit your residence. But you should consider installing smoke alarms that can catch smoke from electrical fires, because damaged wiring can be a cause of house fires. When you have kids, you'll want to teach them on how the smoke alarm sounds and what to do when one goes off. Come up with plans for emergency fire routes and ensure everyone is aware of them. There should be two exits out of all rooms in the residence. Also, you'll want to have a designated meeting spot outside of the residence so that you know everyone makes it out safely. It's also a good idea to create digital copies of valuable documents like birth certificates, and you should think about getting a fire safety box to store them in. Make a list of your personal possessions as well in case they are consumed by the flames. You can either make a list on a device or snap some pictures or videos to record your property.To Minimize the Dangers of a Fire in Your Home Perform These Measures
Even though some fires are out of your control, there are some steps you need to execute to avoid a house fire:- Portable Heaters: It is critical to place any combustible or flammable objects at least three feet away from a portable heater. You'll also want your portable heater to have a control mechanism too and other safety features such as turning off when the heater falls over.
- Appliances and Electrical: Test the switches for your lights to see if they have to be changed out. When you touch them and they're hot, that's a clue that they're damaged. Another thing you have to do is check your electrical appliances for frayed cords and damaged plugs.
- Children: Keep any lighters or matches in an area that is out of sight and out of reach from kids to prevent their curiosity from lighting a fire. Explain to your kids that fire is not something to play with as well.
- Cooking: The kitchen is one of the more vulnerable places for a fire to happen. It's critical to be attentive to what's in the oven or on the stove, and when you have to leave, have someone watch over it until you return.
- Smoking: Smoking outside is the finest approach to counter a house fire from happening. Don't smoke indoors if someone in the residence is using oxygen because oxygen is very combustible. When you smoke indoors, don't smoke while lethargic or in bed and have ashtrays that are deep.
- Fireplaces: It's imperative to clean consistently and inspect your fireplace for creosote and other damage. Get a screen for your fireplace that is strong and big enough to catch flying sparks and prevent rolling logs.
