What to Do to Prepare & Plan for a Fire on in Your Home? - Fire Damage Restoration
As far as calamitous emergencies go there are few things as stunning as a fire that ruins your property and personal possessions. A fire in your property is a distressing and an emotionally exhausting event, whether it ruins everything or not. But there are some measures you can take to lessen the odds of a fire from happening in your residence. The fire damage restoration team at Paul Davis understands the severe condition of house fires and that's why it's fundamental to know how to prepare your home and what to do when a fire happens.Have an Emergency Strategy at All Times in Place
One of the most critical things you can do to prepare for a house fire is to have safety measures in place. Because not all fires are preventable, being safe is fundamental. All properties need the right amount of fire extinguishers and smoke alarms located around the property. Additionally, you should consider purchasing smoke alarms that identify smoke that is caused by electrical fires because faulty wiring is one of the main causes of house fires. Children in the house should be educated on what the smoke alarm sounds like when it goes off and what to do when it does. Next, have your emergency program ready. Everyone in the home should know two ways to get out from each room and where to assemble outside when a fire happens. Additionally, make sure that all members of the household know how to call 911 in the case of an emergency. Making a record of your personal belongings is an excellent idea for insurance purposes just in case all your property is demolished by the flames. You'll also want to store valuable documents such as birth certificates and passports in a fire safe box, and you can make digital copies and upload them to a cloud drive for added measure.What to Be Conscious of to Minimize House Fire Dangers
While some fires aren't avoidable, there are some things you can do to minimize the odds of a fire from happening in your residence:- Smoking: Outdoor smoking is the best approach to counter a house fire from taking place. Don't smoke indoors if someone in the property is on oxygen since it is very combustible. When you smoke inside, don't smoke in bed and while lethargic and have ashtrays with tall walls.
- Children: Store any matches or lighters in a place that is out of sight and out of reach from kids to prevent their curiosity from starting a fire. Explain to your kids that fire is not something to play with as well.
- Fireplaces: Getting a suitable screen for your fireplace is necessary for the safety of your residence and everybody in it. Ensure that it's reliable enough to prevent flares and rolling logs. Also, you should clean your fireplace regularly to rid the highly combustible creosote that forms.
- Portable Heaters: Not under any circumstance should you allow a portable heater neglected, and keep flammable objects three feet away from it. It's also critical for your space heater to contain the right safety features. For instance, the heater shuts off when it tips over.
- Appliances and Electrical: Make sure to do a routine check on your appliances and ensure the cords and plugs are in good condition. Also, when your light switches are hot to the touch, then you need to replace them.
- Cooking: It's of the utmost importance to be observant in the kitchen and to not leave food being cooked unattended. Always have somebody there to watch everything going on.