Your home should be a place of safety and comfort, but without taking the right fire safety precautions, you could be putting yourself and your loved ones at risk.
Fire safety isn’t just a matter of luck — it’s about preparedness and proactive measures. By understanding common fire hazards and taking proactive steps to mitigate risks, you can drastically reduce the chances of a devastating fire happening in your home.
Let’s explore the essential tools you should have in your home and the preventative measures you can take to significantly lower the risk of fire incidents.
UNDERSTANDING COMMON HOME FIRE HAZARDS
It’s important to understand how fires happen in our homes in the first place. Understanding how fires can easily happen and how to prevent them can help homeowners create a safer living environment for themselves and their families.
Kitchen: Whether it’s an unattended pan or a haphazardly tossed towel, the kitchen is one of the most common locations for a fire to occur. Dangerous grease fires can happen in a kitchen, so it’s a good idea for homeowners to brush up on the best ways to extinguish different fires. Clean your cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease from building up and potentially causing a fire. Regularly inspect your cooking appliances, including your stove, microwave, and toaster, for any damage that may cause a fire. Look for frayed cords and damaged heating elements, and note any malfunctions.
Heating Systems: When poorly maintained, your home’s heating system — including furnaces, fireplaces, and space heaters — poses a serious fire hazard. Schedule an annual inspection of your home heating system by a professional, regularly replace your air filters to prevent overheating, and regularly inspect and maintain your chimney. Keep your space heaters at least three feet from anything that could catch fire, like clothing or bedding, and never leave it unattended.
Electrical Systems: We often think about overloaded circuits during the holidays, but they can happen at any time. Regularly inspect your outlets for damage or discoloration — if they’re not already updated to GFCI, consider having an electrician replace them. Only use extension cords sparingly, and never daisy-chain them together. Similarly, inspect the electrical cords in your home for fraying or exposed wires, especially if you have pets who may chew on them.
Open Flames: Candles can create a wonderful ambiance in our home, but open flames are dangerous. Pets and children can easily knock over a candle and start a fire without you even knowing. For outdoor fire safety, ensure your grill and fire pit are at least 10 feet away from any structure — including branches, deck rails, and your home — that could catch fire. It’s also important to keep an eye on your grill and fire pit and never leave them unattended. Like with candles, always monitor children and pets and keep them a safe distance when grilling or enjoying a fire pit.
FIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Having the right fire safety equipment in your home can be life-saving. A fire emergency can happen day or night, by ensuring you have the right tools and safety features installed in your home you improve your ability to respond at a moment’s notice.
Smoke Detectors: Smoke detectors are every home’s first line of defense against fire. These devices should be installed on every level of your home, including in bedrooms and near sleeping areas. Ideally, they should be hardwired and connected to other detectors in your home so they sound simultaneously if smoke is detected. Test your units monthly, and replace the battery backup twice a year.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors: As important as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors continuously work for you to prevent deadly CO gas from harming you. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every floor of your home, especially near sleeping areas.
Fire Extinguishers: When caught quickly, small fires can be put out before they escalate with the help of a fire extinguisher. Keep at least one fire extinguisher on each level of your home (and one in your garage) and familiarize yourself with the P.A.S.S. (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) method.
Escape Ladders: If you have a multi-story home or if there’s a dangerous drop from your windows to ground level, it’s smart to invest in a fire escape ladder. These handy tools can provide you with a means of escape if your hallways or stairs are blocked by fire or debris. Practice using an escape ladder with the whole family, and designate a safe meeting spot away from your home.
With these tips, you can take action to improve the fire safety of your home today! Start by conducting a self-audit of your home to identify potential hazards, such as overloaded circuits or flammable materials near heat sources. Install any safety features your home lacks, like additional smoke detectors. Create a fire escape plan if you don’t already have one, and take the time to discuss it with your family, especially children.
Should you experience fire or smoke damage in your home, the Difference Makers and Paul Davis Restoration of Northeast Indiana stand ready to help. Call us today at 260-436-7510 to speak with a fire restoration specialist.
