Thursday, 20 February 2014

Keeping The Home Safe From Fires

By Wade Harlem


There are some things that people tend to neglect because they don't seem like pressing issues at the time. Unfortunately, some of those potential problems that seem like they have little chance of actually becoming a reality can actually have disastrous consequences if the proper precautions were not taken. Fire safety is often one of those issues, and while it is not the most appealing topic to discuss, it could very well save the lives of you and your family.

Far too many people die every year in accidental fires. Many of these deaths would have been avoidable with some forethought and planning. Creating a route for fire escape in the home that everyone knows is one of the best ways to give your family some preparedness if a fire ever does start in your home. You can hold a family meeting to plan and familiarize everyone with it. A route from every room should be planned, especially the ones that see the most activity (e.g. bedrooms, entertainment areas). Note each piece of furniture and potential tripping or blocking hazard, and formulate a way around them. Once the route is set, try to keep the areas uncluttered. Make sure that everyone is well-acquainted with the route. It's a good idea to practice it several times to commit it to memory. If you have a multi-story home, it might a good idea to install ladders outside the windows, or at least have some portable rope ladders that can be dropped down quickly. Have a nearby meeting place that everyone knows to go to after escaping.

Each year, home sprinkler systems save millions in property damage and prevent injuries and deaths. Water can damage a home, but it's much easier and cheaper to deal with than a home destroyed by fire. They are easily one of the best ways to prevent fires from growing out of control, especially when no one is home at the time. Fire sprinkler systems for homes are less expensive than you might think, simple to have installed in a new home or retrofit into an older one. Fire sprinklers designed for private homes also tend to conform to aesthetic standards, so they won't look unsightly.

While candles can be great for setting a mood with their appearance and scent, they are one of the more common sources of out-of-control fires. If you use candles, always keep it where it can be seen, but not where it can easily knocked over. Keep it out of reach from kids and animals. Make sure the wicks aren't too long either. About a quarter-inch is optimum.

Every home should have a fire extinguisher that's easily accessible from any area of the house. With that, small fires can easily be dealt with before they become more serious. Placing one on each floor is a good idea. Hallways in the middle of the house might be a good place, as would the kitchen, where there's more potential for fires from appliances.

Chemical products in the home should be out of reach from children, stowed in cabinets and checked for leaks. Check the labels to make sure that change in temperatures won't pose a hazard.

It takes time and effort to get a fire safety plan in place, but it could result in saving the lives of you and your family, and also possibly have your home insurance rates reduced.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment