Put Out Your House Fire Fears with a Little Fire Prevention and Preparation!
A house fire is something that no homeowner or renter ever wants to think about. But, fires are a major home disaster threat that can cause costly damage, injuries or even death. What can you do to make sure that you and your home do not become a tragic home fire statistic? When it comes to fire safety, prevention and preparedness are important. Here are a few things you can do to help prevent a fire in your home: Summer-Specific Fire Safety Tips Since summer is that perpetually hot season where we try to keep our lawns meticulously manicured, disposing of those leftover lawn clippings can create a major fire hazard. When those dry clippings get hot, they pose a danger of catching on fire. It may not happen too frequently, but for safety’s sake it is best to dispose of grass clippings away from your home. Summer is also the season for outdoor BBQs and hot-grilling action. Of course, when you’re cooking over an open flame, there is always potential for danger. Be sure that your hot grill is not placed too close to your home and never walk away from a burning grill. Keep a watchful eye over children and pets that may be curiously drawn toward the hot grill. Finally, always keep a fire extinguisher within reach when grilling. Year-Round Fire Prevention Tactics Though there are some summer-specific risks for fires around the home, fire prevention and preparedness is a year-round effort. It is important to routinely check your electrical wiring and gas heating and cooling elements. While this is something that you may be able to do yourself, you may need to contact a reliable professional to make sure that all areas of your home are thoroughly inspected. Don’t stop with just the internal wiring systems in your home, either. You can regularly check the power cords on your appliances to make sure traditional wear and tear is not posing a fire danger. You’ve probably been advised to clean your dryer’s lint trap each time you dry a load of clothes. But, did you know that you also should keep the duct that vents outside clean, too? When this vent is clogged, it can be a major fire hazard. Another highly-combustible home area is the fireplace. If you’ve got one, it should be inspected and swept annually. When you’re burning a fire at home, keep the mesh screen closed, but the glass doors open. This will keep the fire well-ventilated, but prevent any buildup in the chimney. It may go without saying, but you should never leave a fire unattended and always watch small children or pets while a fire is burning. Though not recommended, if you find the need for space heaters in your home, always place them in an open area; but, be sure they are not in any frequently walked regions. Never couple the use of a space heater with an extension cord. In fact, try to avoid extension cords if possible! A final tip for year-round fire safety? Store any flammable liquids away from open flames or even appliances used for heating. It may be best to store flammable liquids outside of your home in a detached shed or other designated storage area. Fire Preparedness Tips for Family Though the above fire safety tactics may be great for preventing a fire, you and your family should have a practiced evacuation plan prepared in case of a fire emergency. Further, to alert family members in case of a fire, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and alarms should be installed on every floor and battery checks should be performed often to make sure they’re always in working order. Though no homeowner or renter wants to consider what they might do in case of a fire at their home, it is vitally important that we all do what we can to prevent and prepare for the unfortunate threat of a fire disaster.
