Plan & Prepare for a House Fire – Instruction from Fire Damage Repair Professionals
The fire damage repair experts from Paul Davis know how disastrous house fires are. Not only can house fires ruin your residence and personal possessions, but they are emotionally disconcerting and make you feel unsafe. Fires can occur in a matter of minutes and can be provoked by a number of variables, so a lot of the time they’re out of your control such as natural disasters or your neighbor’s house being on fire. But there are still some steps you can implement to decrease the risk of a house fire in your residence.
Have an Emergency Plan at All Times in Place
One of the most crucial things you can do to prepare for a house fire is to have safety rules ready. Because not all fires are preventable, being safe is fundamental. Every residence needs the right amount of smoke alarms and fire extinguishers located throughout the property. You should also consider purchasing smoke alarms that detect smoke that is caused by electrical fires because damaged wiring is one of the primary causes of house fires. Kids in the house should be educated on how a smoke alarm sounds when it‘s triggered and what to do when this happens.
Next, have your fire escape routes in order. Every member in the house needs to know two ways to get out from every room and where to congregate outside when a fire happens. Also, make sure that everyone knows how to call 911 in the situation of an emergency.
It’s also a great idea to make digital copies of valuable documents such as birth certificates, and you should consider a fire safety box to store them in. Make a list of your personal possessions as well in case they are engulfed in flames. Either make a list or take pictures or videos to record your property.
To Minimize the Risks of a Fire in Your House Practice These Precautions
Even though some fires aren’t avoidable, there are some things you can do to minimize the prospect of a fire from happening in your residence:
- Fireplaces: Obtaining a proper screen for your fireplace is necessary for the safety of your home and everyone who lives in it. Ensure that it’s durable enough to stop sparks and logs that roll. Additionally, you need to clean your fireplace and chimney routinely to remove the extremely flammable creosote that develops.
- Portable Heaters: Never should you allow a portable space heater unattended, and keep flammable or combustible items three feet away from it. It’s also critical for your heater to contain the right safety features. For example, it turning off when it tips over.
- Smoking: Cigars and cigarettes are extreme risks for fire, and smoking outside is the perfect method to prevent a house fire. If you smoke inside, make sure you have ashtrays with deep walls and that you never smoke in bed or while you’re lethargic. Additionally, never smoke inside if someone in the house is on oxygen as this is extremely explosive.
- Children: Train your children that fire is not something to play with, and make sure to keep lighters and matches in a place that is out of reach and out of sight.
- Cooking: It’s fundamental to be attentive in the kitchen and to not ignore food being cooked unattended. Always have someone there to keep an eye on what’s going on.
- Appliances and Electrical: Shredded cords and damaged plugs could easily form a house fire, so make sure to check your appliances regularly for any issues. In addition, keep an eye on your light switches because if they’re hot, they need to be replaced.
Call the Skillful Fire Damage Repair Technicians from Paul Davis
If you experience a house fire, don’t hesitate to contact Paul Davis. Our professional team has the experience you need with fire damage restoration services and we‘ll have your property back to a livable condition. Get in touch with us at 888-473-7669 and a local franchise near you will be ready to help.