Fire Damage Prevention Steps You Can Take Today
Fires are unpredictable and can happen at any time, to anyone. No one ever wants to experience a fire in their home, but are you doing everything you can to prevent that from happening?
Do you know what to do to protect your family and your property if a fire does occur?
Here’s what you can do to reduce your fire risk, protect your family’s safety and reduce potential fire damage to your home.
REMEMBER THESE STEPS:
Be Safe: Install and Test Smoke Detectors
Be Prepared: Create a Plan
Be Aware: Know the Fire Hazards in Your Home
Step 1: Install and Test Smoke Detectors
Every home should have working smoke detectors installed in nearly every room to alert you and your family when smoke is present inside your home, giving you enough time to safely evacuate and call 911 before the fire spreads. You should also replace the batteries in your smoke alarms twice a year to make sure they are always in working order.
It’s recommended to install smoke alarms in every room except the kitchen and bathrooms, as smoke from cooking and steam in the kitchen and bathroom can cause false alarms.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions for the best placement of the smoke alarms within the room.
Check out our blog post where go in-depth on how to test your smoke detector.
Step 2: Know the Fire Hazards in Your Home
The best way to prevent fires is to address potential fire hazards in your home. In the kitchen, always keep flammable items away from the stove, and never leave pots or pans unattended on the stove while cooking. You should also keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen so you can extinguish a cooking fire before it spreads and causes significant kitchen grease fire damage.
Space heaters and fireplaces are also common causes of fires in homes.
Make sure to keep bedding, draperies, and furniture a safe distance from these heating sources, and keep an eye on space heaters when they are in use to ensure they do not get knocked over by children or pets.
If you use a fireplace, make sure it is properly maintained to prevent chimney fires.
Electrical fires are also common and are largely preventable. Inspect electrical cords for damage, and if you find damage or notice unusual smells when using an appliance, discontinue use immediately.
Never overload outlets, and use grounded outlets where necessary. If you suspect a problem with an outlet or light switch, have a professional inspect it before using again.
Step 3: Create a Plan
If a fire does happen in your home, you want to make sure everyone in your family knows how to exit the home safely, as well as alternative routes. You’ll want to establish a gathering place at a safe distance from the home to make sure everyone is accounted for. If firefighters know everyone has gotten out of the home safely, they can focus on fighting the fire, potentially reducing fire damage losses.
CALL REGENT RESTORATION FOR FIRE DAMAGE HELP!
If a fire does unfortunately happen in your Dallas home, Regent Restoration can help! We provide emergency fire damage restoration services in Dallas and the surrounding communities. For more information call us at (214) 731-4624.
