Saturday, 1 March 2014

Tips For Home Fire Safety

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.

One of the best defenses against fires in the home is an automated sprinkler system. The damage that a fire can cause is far greater than potential water damage. Each year, fire sprinkler systems are responsible for saving lives and preventing millions of dollars in property damage. A sprinkler system isn't too expensive to install in a new home, and it's relatively simple to retrofit into an older home. The water is drawn from the home's plumbing system. A sprinkler system can be a huge advantage in the fight to keep your family safe. A lot of sprinkler systems are designed to complement the aesthetic style of the home.

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.

No home should be without a fire extinguisher, one of the most important fire-safety tools you can possibly place in the house. Smaller fires can easily and quickly be snuffed out. One on each floor is a good choice, placed in areas where there can be reached quickly from most areas of the house, such as the hallway and kitchen walls. Cooking accidents might ignite small fires, so the kitchen is a good choice for an extinguisher.

Chemicals in cleaning products could be flammable as well as toxic, so keep them where children and animals won't be able to reach them. Check the product labels to be sure they're being stored in proper conditions.

Proper fire safety takes some time and effort, but implementing the proper precautions is essential to ensuring the safety of your family. It can also result in lowered insurance rates.




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