Prepare & Plan for a Home Fire – Instruction from Fire Damage Restoration Professionals

As far as cataclysmic emergencies go there aren’t many situations as devastating as a fire that ruins your home and personal possessions. A fire in your house is a frightening and an emotionally exhausting event, whether it damages everything or not. However, there are certain measures you can take to lessen the chances of a fire from happening in your house. The fire damage restoration team at Paul Davis understands the severe condition of house fires and that’s why it’s essential to know how to plan and prepare your home and what to do when a fire happens.

Design and Implement a Fire Escape Strategy for Your Property

Safety has to be the first concern when preparing for a house fire, and smoke alarms and fire extinguishers need to be located throughout the property. Smoke alarms are vital since a fire can spring out of nowhere and you need to take action as fast as possible. Something else to consider with smoke alarms is purchasing ones that can detect smoke caused by electrical fires. Finally, any kids residing in the house need to be instructed on how a smoke alarm sounds when it goes off and what to do when it happens.

Next, have your emergency program ready. Every member in the property should know two ways to escape from each room and where to congregate outside when a fire happens. Also, make sure that everyone knows how to call 911 in the incident of a house fire.

It’s also a great idea to create digital copies of important documents such as birth certificates, and you should consider a fire safety box to keep them in. Record all of your personal belongings too in case they are engulfed in flames. You can either create a list on a device or take pictures or videos to record your things.

To Lessen the Dangers of a Fire in Your Residence Implement These Steps

While some fires aren’t preventable, there are some things you can do to decrease the odds of a fire from occurring in your house:

  • Cooking: The kitchen is one of the more vulnerable spots for a fire to occur. It’s essential to pay attention to what’s in the oven or on the stove, and when you need to leave, have someone keep an eye on it until you return.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Do a routine check on your appliances and ensure the plugs and cords are in good condition. If switches for your lights are hot to the touch, then it’s time to switch them out.
  • Portable Heaters: Not under any condition should you leave a portable space heater alone, and keep flammable or combustible objects three feet away from the heater. It’s also crucial for your heater to contain the right safety features. For instance, it turning off when it falls over.
  • Fireplaces: It’s essential to clean regularly and inspect your fireplace and chimney for damages and creosote. Use a fireplace screen that is strong and large enough to catch flying sparks and block logs from rolling.
  • Children: Keep any matches or lighters in an area that is out of reach and out of sight from kids to avoid their inquisitive nature from lighting a fire. Teach your kids that fire is not a toy too.
  • Smoking: Inside smoking makes your house exposed to house fires, so the finest way to avoid a calamity is to smoke outside. When you do smoke inside, make sure you have suitable ashtrays to prevent a cigar or cigarette from rolling onto the floor. But if someone in the home is on oxygen, do not smoke inside because oxygen is extremely combustible.

Contact the Fire Damage Restoration Technicians from Paul Davis

Home fires can occur, whether it’s something completely out of your power or an accident, Paul Davis is here to lend a helping hand. Our fire damage restoration services can re-mediate your home back to a habitable condition again. Get in touch with us at 888-473-7669 and a franchise near your area will be there for you.