Unfortunately, stories about families losing everything they own in a devastating home fire are common. House fires can develop in any home and for a number of reasons. For example, cooking, an electrical short, and a buildup of dryer lint are common causes of house fires. These home fire safety tips will help you and your loved ones be prepared in case of a fire.
Why Every Family Should Follow Home Fire Safety Tips
No home is immune from the dangers of a house fire. Fires can spread quickly, so you may have only a few minutes to get yourself and everyone else out of the home. Some home fire safety tips help you to get your group together and out the door faster while other tips help you to reduce the severity of a fire or the likelihood of having a fire at all. Here are some excellent safety tips that every family should know and follow.
1. Have a Plan
If your family does not have a plan for evacuation in the event of a fire, now is the time to create one. Do not assume that everyone will react in this stressful and life-threatening situation as you think they would. For example, your child may try to stay in the home to collect their toys without understanding how quickly a fire can spread. Your family needs to know the safe exit points on each floor and a designated meeting place once everyone is out.
2. Test the Smoke Detectors
Functional smoke detectors are essential for home fire safety. Take time to research the ideal placement of smoke detectors, and invest in a few additional detectors to place on each level of your home, on either side of bedroom doors, and near the kitchen. Every six months, test the batteries on your detectors. Consider linking the smoke detectors together so that everyone in the home can easily hear the alarms no matter where they are at the time.
3. Test Your Fire Extinguisher Periodically
Keep a functional fire extinguisher under your kitchen sink. You can also place extra extinguishers throughout the house and in your garage. The fire extinguisher’s pressure gauge should be checked monthly and replaced when it’s no longer within the green area. Teach everyone in the home who is old enough to cook how to operate a fire extinguisher.
4. Choose Fire-Resistant or Fire-Retardant Materials
One of the reasons why house fires spread so quickly is because of flammable materials inside of the home. For example, the insulation in between your walls and in the attic may catch fire easily causing the flames to spread rapidly. When you are buying furniture or making home renovation decisions, choose materials that are fire-resistant or fire-retardant. Some new types of home insulation are not flammable and may slow down the spread of the fire.
While these and other home fire safety tips are easy to follow, many people fail to do so. Home fires can start for many reasons, so now is the time to put these fire safety tips to use. Research additional tips so that you can be as safe as possible in a worst-case situation.
Centennial Inspection Service provides home inspections and home testing services to the Denver Metropolitan area. Contact us to request an appointment.