The Importance of Preparing for House Fires - What to Prepare & Plan
As far as calamitous emergencies go there aren't many events as overwhelming as a fire that destroys your home and belongings. A fire in your house is a frightening and an emotionally draining situation, whether it damages everything or not. But there are some precautions you can take to decrease the odds of a fire from occurring in your house. The fire damage restoration team from Paul Davis understands the serious situation of house fires and that's why it's crucial to know how to plan and prepare your property and what to do when a fire occurs.The Importance of Fire Escape Plans
Safety should be the number one priority when preparing for a house fire, and fire extinguishers and smoke alarms should be placed throughout the property. Smoke alarms are crucial because a fire could come out of nowhere and you have to do something as fast as possible. Another thing to think about with smoke alarms is purchasing ones that can catch smoke generated by electrical fires. Lastly, any kids living in the house have to be taught about how a smoke alarm sounds when it goes off and what to do when it occurs. Next, have your emergency program ready. Everyone in the property needs to know two ways to get out from every room and where to congregate outside when a fire occurs. Also, make sure that everyone knows how to call 911 in the incident of an emergency. Also, it's a good idea to create replicas digitally of worthy documents such as birth certificates, and you should think about getting a strong box to keep them in. Record all of your personal possessions too in the event that they are consumed by the flames. You could either make a list or snap some photos or videos to document your stuff.Things to Think about to Decrease House Fire Hazards
Here are a few things to keep in mind so you can minimize the perils and dangers that are correlated with house fires:- Cooking: It's fundamental to be observant in the kitchen and to not ignore food being cooked unattended. Always have someone there to watch everything going on.
- Appliances and Electrical: Test the switches for your lights to see if they have to be replaced. When you touch them and they're hot, that's a clue that they're damaged. Also, examine your electrical appliances for frayed cords and defective plugs.
- Portable Heaters: Not under any condition should you leave a portable heater neglected, and keep flammable or combustible items three feet away from it. It's also imperative for your space heater to contain the correct features for safety. For instance, the heater turns off when it tips over.
- Fireplaces: Obtaining a legitimate fireplace screen is integral for the safety of your property and everyone who lives in it. Ensure that it is strong enough to catch logs that roll and flares. In addition, you should clean and maintain your fireplace regularly to clear away the intensely flammable creosote that forms.
- Children: Keep any lighters or matches in a place that is out of reach and out of sight from children to stop their curiosity from starting a fire. Teach your children that fire is not a toy too.
- Smoking: Indoor smoking makes your property vulnerable to house fires, so the finest approach to avoid a calamity is to smoke outdoors. When you do smoke indoors, make sure you have suitable ashtrays to inhibit a cigarette or cigar from rolling onto the ground. Yet, if someone in the residence is on oxygen, do not smoke indoors since oxygen is extremely combustible.