Home Fire Safety

This article gives you basic ideas on how to prevent fire in your home.

Studies show that 80% of fires occur at home. This means that a lot of people are injured or are killed. There is also a lot of money lost due to the damages which insurance companies will hopefully honor after a through investigation.

A fire may start at anytime if people are not very careful. Plugging in to many appliances to the sockets could cause a spark, failure to extinguish a cigarette properly before throwing it in the trash or a leak in the gas pipes.

These are all accidental. The best way to protect the home before it gets worse or to save the lives of those who live there will be to get a smoke detector and have this installed in every room in the house.

If these are battery operated, the person should check the batteries on a monthly basis to make sure these are still working. Those operating on power are only operational if the signal light that is built into the unit is lit.

Small fires can be taken cared of using a fire extinguisher. It will be a good idea to have a few units placed in strategic points in the house similar to what is done in an office building.

Ideally, the person should get the ABC type which is able to take care of any type of fire that may occur in the home. This should be checked and refilled to make sure it will work when it is needed.

Every home big or small must have a fire escape plan. This will ensure everyone in the house is able to get out safely. This should be practiced like the kind used in school or in the office so people know what to do.

Homeowners who have a fireplace should install a screen to prevent sparks from flying out into the floor. Every 6 months, the chimney must be inspected and cleaned by a professional to make sure that the airway is clear.

The same thing goes for the heater. This should be installed at least 3 feet away from anything flammable. It is not advisable to use extension cords because these things may melt and cause a fire to break out.

If the individual is planning to use an extension cord, it is best not to overload it. All other electrical appliances must have the Underwriters Laboratories Label better known as UL. This governing body ensures every product is safe for use in the home.

Flammable things such as kerosene or even the matches should be out of the reach of children. Research shows that people who do not know any better are usually the ones that start it.

The gas connected to the oven or stove must be turned off when it is not being used. This should also be checked by a professional regularly because if the room is filled with it and someone suddenly opens the door, this causes a back draft that could turn the home into a fireball.

Lastly, if everyone is going out of the house, it will be a good idea to unplug everything that is not important. The only thing left on will be the refrigerator.

Fires can be prevented only if people undertake the proper measures. It will be awful to return to a house that is already in rubble.
How to keep your home safe while on vacation.