Fire Damage Repair Expert Advice - Preparing for a House Fire
As far as cataclysmic accidents go there aren't many situations as overwhelming as a fire that damages your home and personal possessions. A fire in your house is a frightening and an emotionally draining event, whether it damages everything or not. But there are specific measures you can implement to decrease the odds of a fire from happening in your house. The fire damage repair team from Paul Davis knows the serious situation of home fires and that's why it's important to know how to prepare your residence and what to do when a fire occurs.At All Times - Have a Fire Escape Plan in Place
Safety has to be the number one priority when preparing for a home fire, and fire extinguishers and smoke alarms should be placed throughout the home. Smoke alarms are essential since a fire could come out of the blue and you have to take action as fast as possible. Another thing to think about with smoke alarms is getting ones that can catch smoke caused from electrical fires. Lastly, any kids residing in the home have to be instructed on what a smoke alarm sounds like when it's triggered and what to do when it occurs. Then have your fire escape program in place. Every member in the home needs to know two ways to get out from each room and where to gather outside when a fire occurs. Additionally, ensure that all members of the household know how to call 911 in the incident of an emergency. Making a record of your personal possessions is an excellent idea for insurance reasons just in case all your stuff is destroyed by the flames. Additionally, you'll want to preserve valuable documents such as passports and birth certificates in a strong box, and you can create digital copies and upload them to a cloud drive for added measure.To Minimize the Hazards of House Fires Perform These Measures
Despite the fact that some fires are uncontrollable, here are some safety measures you should execute to prevent a home fire:- Fireplaces: Creosote is extremely combustible and it forms in your fireplace after it's been used, so make sure to get your fireplace cleaned and maintained regularly. Getting a big, strong screen is also essential to prevent sparks from flying into the room and log rollovers.
- Portable Heaters: It is vital to relocate any combustible or flammable objects at least three feet away from a space heater. You'll also want your heater to have a control mechanism too and other features for safety such as shutting off if the heater falls over.
- Smoking: Cigarettes and cigars are serious hazards for fire, and smoking outside is the best approach to prevent a home fire. If you smoke inside, make sure you have deep ashtrays and that you never smoke in bed or while you're drowsy. Also, not under any situation should you smoke inside if someone in the home is on oxygen since this is extremely explosive.
- Children: Store any matches or lighters in a location that is out of sight and out of reach from kids to stop their curiosity from starting a fire. Teach your kids that fire is not something to play with as well.
- Cooking: Remain in the kitchen at all times during the time you're cooking and don't leave it unattended. If you have to leave the kitchen, get somebody to watch over the food until you return.
- Appliances and Electrical: Test your light switches to see if they have to be replaced. If they're hot to the touch, that's a sign that they're damaged. Also, check your electrical appliances for worn out cords and defective plugs.