It is easy to have the mindset of “That will never happen to me”. While it is hard to imagine being caught in the middle of an emergency, it is always best to take proactive measures to prevent an emergency from happening in the first place. Below we’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks on how you can prevent house fires.
Install Smoke Alarms
At a minimum, smoke alarms should be installed on each floor of the home. To better equip your home, we recommend installing them in each room of the house. It is important to test the alarms monthly to ensure that they are functioning properly, and to switch out the batteries on an annual basis. (Tip: if you hear a beeping noise coming from the fire alarm, it means the battery needs changing!)
Have a Fire Extinguisher on Hand
It is a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher in the house in case of a fire. Wet chemical fire extinguishers are best for the kitchen due to their ability to put out fat or oil fires, whereas dry powder fire extinguishers are a good choice for the rest of the house, due to the fact that they are safe to use on wood, textiles, electrical fires, and flammable liquids and gases. Additionally, you can keep a fire blanket in the kitchen to throw over pan fires.
Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Carbon Monoxide is an incredibly dangerous gas that is known as the silent killer. It is tasteless, colorless, and odorless. However, if this gas comes in contact with an open flame, it is highly combustible and can create an explosion. It is recommended to have carbon monoxide alarms installed in each room of the house.
Clean Your Dryer’s Lint Trap
One of the most common sources of house fires comes from the lint trap in your dryer. Lint is make of many small particles of cloth, wool, etc., and is highly combustible. If it is left unattended in the dryer, it is possible for the extreme heat of the dryer to cause it to light. Make sure to empty the lint trap of your dryer after each use.
Have Your Home’s Wires Inspected
Old wiring has the potential to cause house fires. Have an electrician inspect your home’s wires for any exposed or damaged wires. If you find that fuses frequently blow in your home or that breakers are constantly tripping, it is important to have your wires checked right away.
Inspect Natural Gas Sources
Sources of natural gas, such as gas stoves and other gas appliances, are prone to gas leaks. It is important to have these appliances serviced and inspected on an annual basis to ensure that they are functioning properly and safely.
Unplug Appliances
When you are finished using an appliance, it is a good practice to unplug it from its power source. Things like hair straighteners, curling irons, convection heaters, Christmas tree lights, even phone chargers should be removed completely from the wall socket after use, rather than just being turned off. While this may seem like an unnecessary precaution, it is an added protection to prevent the possibility of a fire being started by one of these appliances.
If you have any additional questions regarding fire prevention and fire restoration services, Clean Earth fire prevention specialists are standing by and can be reached at 888-471-6653 or at our website cleanearthrestorations.com.
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