It is said that the time to take action for an unexpected event it’s before it happens. Especially when you speak of home fires. Most fires and fire related injuries could have been prevented with little effort and minimal cost. To not find yourself in a dangerous situation, here is a few simple safety tips to prepare your home for an emergency, and teach your family how to escape in case of a fire.
Most Common Causes
One of the best ways to prevent a fire is to know what are the most common causes and what areas of your home are more prone to it.
The kitchen is the most common place where fires begin. In the kitchen you will find flammable items that, if too close to a source of heat, could catch on fire. The kitchen is also a great area to have a fire extinguisher on hand.
Many individuals leave electrical devices connected and unattended, which is a common source of fires. To prevent any accidents take a moment to inspect the electrical devices and appliances in you home. Make sure there are no broken or exposed wires that can ignite a fire.
- Do not run your appliances while away from your home.
- Make sure dust and debris do not build up by cleaning out filters.
- Don’t overwork an outlet with too many plugs.
Is Your Home Ready?
Creating a safe environment and following safety procedures within your home can reduce injuries if a fire did occur. Small inexpensive modifications to a home can be the difference between getting trapped and safely escaping with your family.
Every home should have at Least one working smoke alarm. Functional smoke alarms can double your chances of survival in case of a fire. Smoke alarms themselves should be maintained; test it monthly, keeps it clean and replace the battery at least once a year. Replace them every ten years, or as recommended by the manufacturer.
Place fire extinguisher in key locations that are more likely to have a fire (kitchen, garage, or closets). Some homes that are older and are constructed with more flammable materials could even consider installing a sprinkler system.
Know your local emergency numbers. Have stickers and magnets with emergency numbers on your refrigerator and every telephone in your home.
Inform Your Family
Make sure all family members know what to do in case of a fire. Create a plan with at least two ways of escaping every room. Make a drawing for each floor that shows important details: stairs, hallways and windows that can be used as fire escape routes. Think of the plans you see in Hotels.
Small children are naturally curious about fire. Many unattended children play with matches and lighters. Remind your children that fire is a tool, not a toy. Seniors are especially vulnerable because many live alone and can’t respond quickly.
Escape Plan
Have and practice an escape with your family. Teach everyone to stay low to the floor when escaping to avoid breathing harmful fumes and to never open doors that are hot. Select a location where everyone can meet after escaping the house.
It may seem odd to practice exiting your house when there isn’t an emergency. But going through the motions with young children will help them learn the plan better. This also gives you a chance to ensure that all exits and escape routes are clear and easily to use.
If You Get Caught in a Fire
If ever caught in a fire it’s important to try and stay calm. Call 911 if possible and let them know where you are trapped. Cover the spaces from around the door to prevent smoke from coming in. Stay by the window where people can see you and get to you.
If you do find yourself in a dangerous situation remember what you learned in school. If your clothing catches fire, Stop, Drop, and Roll until the flames are out. Keep far from objects that can easily catch fire or fall.
In addition to injury and material loss, the outbreak of a fire can lead to loss of life. For more information contact your local fire department to see how you can make your home a safer place.