Home fires are a terrifying thing that no one should ever have to experience. Sometimes we can use safety practices in our home to help to prevent a house fire from occurring. By practicing fire safety within your home you can drastically reduce the chances of experiencing a house fire. Here is some advice on things you can do to prevent some of the more common causes of indoor fires and the need for fire damage restoration.
Fire Extinguishers and Smoke Detectors
Keeping your smoke detectors maintained can make a huge difference in a dangerous situation. It is important that the detector is cleaned regularly and cleared of dust and debris. If your smoke detector has batteries or backup batteries they should be changed once a year, or when your detector notifies you that the battery is low. It is good practice to replace your smoke detectors every ten years.
There are many people who chose to have a fire extinguisher in their home for preventative measures. Make sure to keep your fire extinguisher in an easy to access location that will be convenient if a fire starts in a common area, like the kitchen or by the fireplace. There are many different types of fire extinguishers, some are disposable and some are rechargeable. Your care and maintenance will depend on the type of extinguisher you choose to have in your home. Regardless of what kind of extinguisher you purchase, make sure to regularly inspect your fire extinguisher, and recharge or replace as necessary.
Proper Kitchen Safety Practices
There are a lot of instances in the kitchen that can turn into a fire hazard quickly. Regardless of whether you are working with open flames or electric heating appliances, it is still important to make sure to be aware of your surroundings. Always clean your stove top between uses to prevent the possibility of a grease fire. Grease is highly flammable and causes a fire that spreads very rapidly so it is important to be careful when working with grease and oil. Burning food can also be a potential fire hazard. Never leave your cooking unattended, and set timers that will help to ensure you don’t forget about something you are cooking. Be aware of any fabrics around the cooking area- whether its your clothes or your cleaning towel- as fabrics are flammable and can contribute to a hazardous situation.
Never Leave a Fire Unattended
Even a little tea candle can result in a house fire under proper conditions. Do not leave any open flames unattended in order to ensure your home’s safety. Always keep your eye on open flames in heat sources, candles, etc. There are so many materials that are flammable that can cause a small, ambient fire to spread throughout your home at an incredible rate.
Clean Your Appliance Filters
Dust, lint, and other particles that tend to build up on your appliance filters are flammable, so filters should be changed frequently. A shocking amount of house fires occur from neglecting to clean the lint trap in the laundry dryer. Be sure to clean this filter between every load of laundry. It is also important to clean your AC filters based on your unit and filters recommendation.
Update Old Electronic Devices
Old electronics are wired differently than our newer electronics. Sometimes the appliance or device can’t handle the power that is coming into it and can cause a fire. The same can be said about plugging new appliances and electronics into older electrical wiring. It is a good idea to inspect your electrical wiring every ten years or so. It is also important to get rid of any damaged or faulty electronics to prevent them from sparking and catching fire.
These are only a few tips to preventing fires within your home, but even by just including these safety practices you can greatly reduce the risk of an indoor fire. If you find yourself dealing with a home fire, always remember that your safety and the safety of those around you is what is most important. 1st Choice Solutions is a fire damage restoration company that can help you get your home back to normal after experiencing a home fire. Contact us right away to get started.
