Fires are extremely hazardous and can put your health and property in grave danger. Loss of property in a fire can have devastating effects on a household or company. Property fires are a common occurrence, which is more worrisome. Experts estimate that a million fires resulted in civilian deaths, ten thousand fire injuries, and a billion in property damage.
The good news is that you have options other than hiring the best fire damage restoration specialists to fix your property. It is possible to avoid losing your home in a fire by avoiding common causes and by practising effective fire safety procedures.
Keep matches and lighters away from children.
Keeping matches, lighters, and other ignition sources out of the reach of youngsters is a simple but effective way to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out on your property. Kids should be taught about fire safety and the need to treat matches and lighters as tools for adults, not playthings.
Keep Smoke Alarms Up-to-Date and Tested
Experts found that fire deaths happened in houses without smoke alarms, and most occurred in residences with malfunctioning detectors. Smoke alarms and detectors buy you and the people you care about valuable time to evacuate the building; ensuring that these devices are present and in proper functioning order is of the utmost importance.
Install detectors at every property level, including inside bedrooms and nearby corridors. Furthermore, testing your alarms monthly, replacing the batteries at least once a year, and keeping the detectors clean can all assist in preventing fires.
Bear in Mind the Need for a Fire Extinguisher
If there’s a fire, it is essential to have working smoke alarms and fire extinguishers installed and ready to use in your home. They’re useful for putting out minor fires and containing flames until help arrives, making them an essential first aid item for every firefighter.
In light of their significance, you must be familiar with their application. Since you won’t have the time to do so during a fire, it’s wise to read the guidelines and familiarise yourself with how your unit operates.
Do Not Smoke Inside At Any Time
Cigarettes are a surprising cause of house fires, yet many people still smoke indoors despite the danger. Even if you think you’ve extinguished the flame, the chemicals and materials within can cause it to smoke and spread. It could lead to a fire on your bed or in your garbage can.
If you want to avoid having to hire professionals to repair the damage caused by a fire, the simplest way to do it is to avoid smoking inside the house. When smoking, it’s best to use water-filled ashtrays with deep compartments to guarantee that the cigarette ends are completely doused.
Pay Close Attention While Cooking
According to a study conducted by professionals between 2014 and 2018, residential structure fires were sparked by culinary activities an average of 172,900 times annually. What is the most common factor that leads to kitchen fires and the subsequent casualties? Cooking while unattended.
Tips you can implement right away to prevent fires in the kitchen:
- Never leave the stove or oven on while cooking.
- Avoid wearing loose or long-sleeved clothing when cooking since they can catch fire if you come too close to the heat.
- Turn all pots and pan handles inward to prevent children from reaching into and tipping over a hot pot.
- Keep combustible materials such as paper, dishcloths, and oven mitts away from the stovetop.
- Clean up spilt grease as soon as it cools since built-up grease is flammable.
- Avoid using water to extinguish grease fires since it will soon change to steam and cause serious burns.
- Instead, use a fire blanket or extinguisher to smother the flames.
Exercise Open Fire Safety
Fireplaces can be a lovely way to keep your home warm during the winter. However, it is imperative to remember that they can cause fires if not handled correctly.
Cleaning your chimney in the late summer or early fall before you use it more frequently during the cooler months is a smart way to keep your house warm and secure throughout the winter. A fireplace screen is necessary once cold weather sets in, as it prevents embers from flying out of the fireplace and potentially burning everyone in the room.
Inspect the Appliances and Wiring
Having a licensed electrician inspect your home’s electrical wiring system is smart, especially if your home is older. Worn-out insulation, obsolete wiring, often tripping breakers, and warm outlets can all contribute to electrical problems and, in the worst-case scenario, devastating house fires if left unchecked.
Operating your appliances responsibly and inspecting the wiring in your home are critical. A few things to keep in mind are listed below:
- Electrical cords that are frayed or damaged should be replaced right away.
- Unplug an appliance immediately and have it fixed if it starts to smoke or emits an odd smell.
- Refrain from connecting heavy appliances to extension cords.
- Keep curtains, furniture, and other things that can catch fire away from space heaters.
Take Extra Precautions Over the Holidays
Precautions should be taken at all times, especially during the winter holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is because home fires are more common than at other times of the year. Consider using some or all of the following suggestions to improve the effectiveness of your fire prevention efforts:
– Use Turkey Fryers Carefully: Since they need a lot of hot oil and are frequently set up on a stand, ensure you only use them outside. You can avoid injuries and accidents by placing them on a steady surface and keeping children and animals away at all times.
– Water your Christmas tree daily since dry trees can catch fire.
– Inspect your holiday lights to ensure you are not overloading an extension cord with more than three strings of lights before turning them on. Inspect the cords for signs of wear and tear, such as fraying, cracking, or damage.
How to Get Professional Help to Repair Fire Damage
Fire is every homeowner’s greatest nightmare, but you can reduce the damage and safeguard your family. Following the fire safety procedures outlined above may greatly reduce the likelihood of a fire occurring on your property. It is because you may greatly reduce the associated costs and casualties.
Know who to call for help in a fire, such as Reztor Restoration. Fire damage restoration can be a traumatic experience, but our certified professionals are here to help you and your property recover as soon as possible. You can reach us whenever you need help repairing fire and smoke damage.
