Plan & Prepare for a Home Fire - Advice from Fire Damage Restoration Professionals

As far as catastrophic emergencies go there are few things as stunning as a fire that ruins your house and belongings. A fire in your property is a frightening and an emotionally draining situation, whether it damages everything or not. Yet, there are specific measures you can take to decrease the likelihood of a fire from occurring in your residence. The fire damage restoration team from Paul Davis understands the severe situation of house fires and that's why it's crucial to know how to plan and prepare your house and what to do when a fire happens.

Get Your Property Prepped for the Possibility of a Fire & Have an Emergency Strategy Ready at All Times

When it comes to house fires, not all of them are can be in control and can't be avoided. That is why the most critical thing you can do is have safety measures in place. Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are necessary, and make sure you have the proper amount to accommodate your property. Yet, you should think about installing smoke alarms that can identify smoke from electrical fires, since damaged wiring can be a cause of house fires. If you have children, you'll want to train them on how the smoke alarm sounds and what to do when one goes off. Implement fire escape routes and ensure everyone is aware of them. Always have two exits out of all rooms in the property. Also, you'll need to have a planned meeting location outside of the property so that you know everyone gets out safely. Something else you should do is secure your important items such as photographs, birth certificates and passports. You can make digital replicas and store them into a cloud drive as a backup, and you can buy a strong box to keep the real copies safe as well. Lastly, make a record of all your personal belongings for insurance reasons in case they're burned up by the flames.

To Lessen the Dangers of a Fire in Your Residence Take These Measures

Here are a few things to recognize so you can decrease the perils and dangers that are correlated with house fires:

  • Cooking: The kitchen is one of the most common spots for a fire to develop. It's critical to pay attention to what's in the oven or on the stove, and when you need to leave, have someone keep an eye on it until you come back.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Make sure to do a habitual examination on your appliances and ensure the cords and plugs are in good condition. Also, when your light switches are hot to the touch, then it's time to replace them.
  • Portable Heaters: Never should you allow a portable heater alone, and keep flammable objects three feet away from the heater. It's also critical for your portable heater to have the proper safety features. For example, it turning off when it tips over.
  • Fireplaces: It's critical to clean regularly and inspect your fireplace and chimney for damages and creosote. Get a screen for your fireplace that is strong and big enough to halt logs from rolling and catch sparks.
  • Children: Store any lighters or matches in a place that is out of sight and out of reach from children to prevent their inquisitive nature from lighting a fire. Educate your children that fire is not something to play with as well.
  • Smoking: Cigarettes and cigars are extreme risks for fire, and taking your smoking outside is the best way to prevent a house fire. If you smoke inside, make sure you have deep ashtrays and that you never smoke in bed or while you're lethargic. Also, not under any circumstance should you smoke inside when someone in the house is using oxygen as this is extremely explosive.

Call the Skillful Fire Damage Restoration Contractors at Paul Davis

If you experience a house fire, don't wait to call Paul Davis. Our expert team has the skills you need with fire damage restoration services and we can have your house back to a livable condition. Contact us at 888-473-7669 and a franchise near you will be ready to help out.