The Importance of Preparing for House Fires - What to Prepare & Plan

As far as catastrophic accidents go there are few things as stunning as a fire that damages your property and possessions. A fire in your house is a distressing and an intensely draining situation, whether it destroys everything or not. But there are certain precautions you can take to lessen the likelihood of a fire from happening in your residence. The fire damage repair team at Paul Davis understands the severe condition of house fires and that's why it's fundamental to know how to prepare your home and what to do when a fire happens.

Have an Emergency Strategy at All Times in Place

One of the more fundamental things you can do to plan for a house fire is to have safety rules in place. Since not all fires are avoidable, being safe is necessary. Every residence needs the proper amount of smoke alarms and fire extinguishers set around the property. You should also consider purchasing smoke alarms that detect smoke that is generated by electrical fires because faulty wiring is one of the primary culprits of house fires. Children in the house should be taught how a smoke alarm sounds when it's triggered and what to do when this happens. Execute fire escape routes and ensure everyone is mindful of them. Always have two exits out of every room in the home. You'll also want to have a planned meeting spot outside of the home so that you know everyone makes it out securely. Making a record of your personal belongings is a great idea for insurance reasons in case all your stuff is demolished by the flames. Additionally, you'll want to preserve valuable things like passports and birth certificates in a strong box, and you can make digital replicas and upload them to a cloud drive for added measure.

What to Think about to Decrease House Fire Hazards

While some fires aren't preventable, there are some things you can do to minimize the probability of a fire from happening in your residence:

  • Cooking: Always remain in the kitchen while food is on the stove or in the oven and never leave it unattended. If you have to leave the kitchen, get someone to keep an eye on the food until you come back.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Do a habitual check on your electrical appliances and ensure the plugs and cords are in working condition. If your light switches are hot to the touch, then you need to replace them.
  • Portable Heaters: Check that your heater has a control mechanism and a thermostat, and it needs to turn off if the heater falls over.
  • Fireplaces: It's necessary to clean routinely and inspect your fireplace for damages and creosote. Get a screen for your fireplace that is durable and big enough to stop rolling logs and catch flying sparks.
  • Children: Store any lighters or matches in a location that is out of sight and out of reach from children to stop their curiosity from starting a fire. Teach your children that fire is not a toy as well.
  • Smoking: Cigars and cigarettes are serious threats for fire, and taking your smoking outside is the finest way to prevent a house fire. If you smoke inside, make sure you have deep ashtrays and that under any situation you don't smoke in bed or while you're drowsy. In addition, not under any situation should you smoke inside if someone in the house is on oxygen because this is highly combustible.

If You Need Fire Damage Repair Maintenance - Reach Out to Paul Davis for Expert Assistance Now

House fires happen, whether it's something completely out of your power or a mishap, Paul Davis is here to help. Our fire damage repair services can restore your home back to normal again. Contact us at 888-473-7669 and a franchise near your area will be there to help.