Preventing House Fires

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

One of the most devastating experiences you and your family can go through is losing everything to a house fire. You’ve have put in time, money, and effort to make your home your sanctuary. You’ve created memories to fill its every corner. It is challenging to bring back your intangibles once they’re damaged by smoke and fire.

Always be mindful and do everything you can to protect your house from a smoke or fire loss. By following these sensible tips, you could help keep your home and loved ones safe:

1. Buy a fire extinguisher

A fire extinguisher can save many lives, making this a wise purchase. Having more than one in your home can bolster your feelings of safety. They are also genuinely useful in case of a house fire.

Always make sure to put at least one fire extinguisher in an easy to reach spot on every floor. It is helpful to put them in high-risk areas of your home, such as the kitchen and the laundry room. Be sure to check the fire extinguishers regularly making sure they aren’t expired. They typically last an average of 5 to 15 years.

2. Check your smoke alarms regularly

Smoke alarms are your first line of defense against fire due to their early warning capability. In some homes, they can be hardwired into the electrical system to monitor smoke and carbon monoxide, and they have the ability to send alerts to your smart devices.

If you are like most homeowners or renters, you probably have a battery operated one, be sure to conduct a routine check every six months to be sure it is still working properly. Just a few seconds to press a button on the alarm. If you hear a weak beep, it means you should change the batteries immediately. If you have an alarm that is WiFi-connected, you will be prompted on your smart device to change the batteries when needed.

No matter what kind of smoke alarm you have. It is always a safe bet to ensure they are in proper working order. This way, you will always be alerted when a fire breaks out, affording you and your family a sufficient amount of time to manage an emergency and get out safely.

3. Check your dryer’s airflow regularly

Each year over 2,900 dryer fires occur in homes in the United States. This is because of clogged vents and filter buildup can get hot and cause a fire. Even this is highly preventable if you follow these simple best practices.

First, you should have your dryer vent inspected bi-annually or annually, depending on your usage – there is no substitute for this. Second, always make sure your lint trap is clean before adding a new load of laundry.

Lint or small clothing items like socks can easily get stuck on the back of the machine. Always make sure to inspect for those and remove them before running your dryer.

4. Clean your toaster, stove and oven

Food particles can accumulate at the bottom of your appliance and be a culprit. This can happen at the bottom of your stove burner too.

Forgotten food sitting in these kitchen appliances could cause significant damage. Always make sure to clean them regularly and inspect them for food debris.

As always, there are many other things you should be mindful about, such as curtains hanging too close to the stove and small items like a dish towel or cookbook lying on a burner that is still hot.

5. Pay close attention when cooking

Over half of kitchen fires are caused by cooking with disruptions. Be mindful that all it takes is a few moments for a kitchen to go up in flames. It could be just a pot of boiling rice, never leave your cooking unattended. Always keep distractions away and focus on what you’re preparing.

6. Keep your fireplace clean

If you have a fireplace, they are cozy add-ons and many people enjoy the benefits of these in their homes. Your fireplace can also be a source of fire if not maintained and cleaned regularly by a licensed chimney sweeper. When you have a fire burning, you should always stay in the room. Always dispose of ashes properly, be sure to give them ample time to cool down. To be sure, put them in a metal container specifically made for the disposal of fireplace ashes.

7. Use extreme caution with candles

A key factor in handling candles is being aware of the potential fire risk. Keep these rules in mind:

• Remember to blow out candles when leaving the room.
• Be sure to blow them out before you go to sleep.
• Keep them as far away from objects that can easily catch on fire like curtains and blankets.
• Don’t ever put them on an uneven surface such as carpet to prevent them from tipping over.
• Always keep lit candles away from your pets.

By following these rules, you can help keep you and your family safe from a house fire. However, if you do suffer from a fire or smoke damage, you’ll need the expertise and knowledge of SERVPRO of The Dutch Fork. We understand the devastation fires can bring, this is why we work quickly and efficiently to address your fire and smoke restoration needs. Be sure to call on us to find out how we can help you with the process of restoring your home after a fire loss.