Fire Damage Restoration Tips on Avoiding a Home Fire
A fire can spread in seemingly no time at all. As soon as something in a building catches fire, it can go to a full-on blaze within seconds, destroying your home and putting your family in danger. Even if you get out safely, your home may be destroyed and need extensive fire damage restoration from an emergency disaster restoration company. That is why you should do whatever you can to prevent a fire from occurring. Just because you have never been in a fire does not mean you should be complacent about your family’s safety. Here are some tips to prevent a house fire.
Smoke Alarms
In just about every jurisdiction in the US, you must have working smoke alarms on every floor. It is a good idea to take it a step further and have one installed in every room. As mentioned, a fire can spread quickly, so by the time it hits the smoke detector down the hall, it might be too late. Make sure to test the batteries on a regular basis. Many people do it every six months when the clocks change, but feel free to do it more often than that. Make sure that everyone in the home knows what the sound means and have an evacuation plan in place if it goes off.
Home Appliances
Often when going through fire damage restoration, it becomes apparent that the fire started because of an appliance. There are some things you can do to make them safer. For instance, kitchen appliance should be unplugged if not in use. Clothes dryers should have the lint cleaned out of the link trap after every use and a thorough lint cleaning should be done at least every 6 months. This would include inspecting the back of the dryer for lint buildup along with disconnecting the dryer vent hose and removing lint from the hose.
Other appliances can be fire hazards as well. Inspect them before each use and have them repaired or replaced immediately if they are broken. Check the light and electrical switch plates for heat. If they are hot to the touch you could have damaged wiring or problems with the circuits that need immediate attention. Failure to monitor and maintain the typical hazards could cause the need to hire an emergency disaster restoration company.
Pet Proofing
Pets can be a major cause of house fires that people do not always consider. Make sure to keep items out of the reach of your pets. This would include remote controls, burning candles, or any type of electrical wiring that they might chew on. Puppies and new cats or kittens are usually the most inquisitive. They should be crate trained or put in a safe room when you are out of the house or while the family is sleeping. A little prevention when it comes to pets can help you avoid a fire damage restoration situation.
Outside Fires Can Cause a Need for Fire Damage Restoration
Fires that start outside can be just as devastating as those that start inside. Make sure to practice good fire safety on the exterior of your home as well. Remove leaves from your lawn either by raking and discarding them or by mulching with your lawn lower. Your barbecue pit, whether propane or charcoal, should also be well-maintained and cleaned. Never leave it unattended when in use! Be sure to turn off the propane or extinguish the coals when you are finished cooking on it. Do not store propane in the garage, but rather in a secure place outside. If you utilize an outside fire pit when it is cold, be sure to use the screen cover to keep hot ashes from flying out.
Nobody wants to experience what it is like to need an emergency disaster restoration company. Follow these fire prevention tips to lessen the odds of having a house fire.