Fire damage in your home can be costly and devastating especially around the holidays. Within in a matter of minutes, you can lose a lifetime of memories. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), there were 2,620 deaths and 11,220 fire injuries between 2011 and 2017. Most are preventable. Below are some fire prevention tips.
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Smoke Detectors
Install smoke detectors on every level of your home. Smoke detectors are a great tool for fire prevention. They can detect smoke early, being able to detect a fire a couple minutes early could help save your life or even your home. Test the smoke detectors once a month and replace batteries twice a year. An easy way to remember to change batteries is to do it when you change your clocks for daylight saving time.
Fire Extinguishers
Smoke detectors are great to have in your home, but you should always consider a fire extinguisher. Extinguishers are lightweight and are easy to use. Fire extinguishers are specially made for fires such as paper and wood, cooking oil, or electrical fires helping prevent a fire damage in your home.
Practice Fire Safety
Create a fire escape plan and establish two emergency exits. Practice the plan with your family and establish a meeting spot outside the home. Ensure that all family members know how to contact each other in case of an emergency by creating a family communications plan. Every household member should learn the stop, drop, and roll technique in case their clothes catch fire. Draw a floor plan of your home and go over ways to evacuate each room, especially sleeping areas.
Kitchen Safety Precautions
The kitchen is where most home fires start. Never leave the oven or stove unattended when cooking. Stay alert while frying, broiling or grilling food and turn off all cooking appliances if you have to leave the kitchen.
Electrical Safety
Have the electrical in your home checked regularly. Replace frayed or damaged wires and make sure cords are not run under carpets or rugs. Don’t overload extension cords or outlets. Plug large appliances directly into wall sockets.
Chemical Safety
Store all combustible substances, such as gasoline, in a container designed for that purpose. Keep the containers outside the home in a detached garage or lawn shed.
Candles
Do not leave candles unattended, extinguish them when you leave the room or go to bed. Burn candles in candle holders and place them on horizontal, stable, and heat-resistant surfaces. Avoid using candles when the power is out. Use battery-operated flashlights instead.
