Appliances, Interiors

Simple Tips for Home Fire Safety

fire-safetyHome fires kill and injury thousands of people every single year, and that is why every family should take a careful look at their own fire safety. With a few simple steps, some forward planning, and life-saving devices, a family will drastically reduce their chances of serious injuries or death in the event of one of these scenarios. Here are the leading tips that every family should understand when it comes to safety within the home.

One of the biggest issues with home fires is detecting them as early on as possible. While many states do have varying laws on smoke detectors, every building should have a number of these devices installed in multiple rooms. This begins with all hallways that lead into any rooms that can be closed off, especially bedrooms. Bedrooms remain the number one location where people can get trapped in the event of a fire. Fire and carbon dioxide detectors should not be placed near vents or windows that could affect their efficiency and they should be checked every few weeks along with frequent battery changing.

To properly prepare for such a fire it is important to have an escape plan created. Just as fire drills are carried out at schools, carrying out fire drills at a person’s house very well may be what saves a family member’s life in the event that a fire was to take place. In addition to creating a fire escape plan, it is also important to set up a specified meeting area in which all household members can meet at after escaping from a home that is on fire.

Next, the family should go over what must take place in the event of a fire. Even younger children can quickly pick up on the basics of fire safety habits that could save their lives. This includes crawling under the smoke, covering one's mouth, and testing doorknobs for heat. Once the basics have been established, all members of the family should also understand a fire escape from every room in the house. This may include safety ladders that will allow members to escape from second story rooms.

The next step is for the entire family to understand potential locations and objects that are prone to fires. This will generally be in rooms such as the kitchen with multiple flammable items and locations where ignition may occur. In older homes, there may also be issues with wiring or even clogged fireplaces. Home owners should make a checklist of all locations and items that could be problematic and check them every few months, including chimneys that may be full of flammable soot.

There are also a number of products that can be placed around the home that will allow the family to fight the fire before it becomes a major issue. Fire extinguishers should be placed in strategic locations and every member of the family should understand how to operate each device. These extinguishers must be certified by UL or similar organizations and replaced well within their expiration date. In the kitchen, home owners should only utilize fire extinguishers that have been tested on oil fires and other cooking products. These fires are often made worse by water, and suppressants may be needed to quickly put out the fire.

When it comes to the safety of one's family and their property, no one can be too careful. With a few affordable supplies and some forward planning, parents can ensure that every member of their family understands exactly what must take place before and during a life-threatening fire.

Ashley Madison is a blogger for the popular fire safety site Essential Fire Safety UK. For fire safety products and advice, check us out here.

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