What to Do to Prepare for a Home Fire? – Fire Damage Restoration

The fire damage restoration professionals from Paul Davis know how disastrous home fires can be. Not only can home fires ruin your home and personal belongings, but they are emotionally unsettling and make you feel insecure. Fires can occur without a moment’s notice and can be caused by lots of variables, so a lot of the time they’re out of your control like natural disasters or your neighbor’s house being on fire. But there are still a few precautions you can take to minimize the dangers of a home fire in your home.

At All Times - Have a Fire Escape Strategy in Place

All home fires aren’t stoppable and you can only do so much. That’s why it’s necessary to have safety plans ready. Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are necessary, and always check that you have the proper amount to suit your property. But you should consider installing smoke alarms that can catch smoke from electrical fires, since defective wiring can be a cause of home fires. When you have children, you’ll want to train them on what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when one goes off.

Some other precautions include outlining emergency routes in your home. Create a strategy and make sure everybody in the home understands the fire escape routes – there should be two exits for each room in the home. It’s also crucial to have a planned meeting place outside so you know who gets out of the home.

It’s also a good idea to make replicas digitally of important documents like birth certificates, and you should think about getting a strong box to keep them in. Make a list of your personal belongings too in case they are burned up by the flames. Either prepare a list or snap some pictures or videos to record your property.

What to Be Cognizant of to Decrease Home Fire Risk

While some fires aren’t avoidable, there are a few things you can do to minimize the probability of a fire from occurring in your home:

  • Smoking: Cigars and cigarettes are extreme threats for fire, and taking your smoking outside is the perfect method to avoid a home fire. When you smoke indoors, check that you have ashtrays with deep walls and that you never smoke in bed or while you’re drowsy. Also, never smoke indoors when someone in the home is using oxygen because this is very combustible.
  • Children: Educate your kids that fire is not something to play with, and be sure to keep your lighters and matches in an area that’s out of sight and out of reach.
  • Fireplaces: Creosote is very flammable and it develops in your fireplace and chimney after it’s been used, so make sure to get your fireplace cleaned and maintained routinely. Having a large, sturdy screen is also vital to avoid sparks from entering the room and log rollovers.
  • Portable Heaters: Guarantee your space heater has a control mechanism and a thermostat, and it should switch off if it falls over on its side.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Make sure to do a routine examination on your appliances and make sure the cords and plugs are in good condition. Also, when switches for your lights are hot to the touch, then it’s time to switch them out.
  • Cooking: Always stay in the kitchen during the time food is in the oven or on the stove and don’t leave it unattended. When you need to leave the kitchen, get somebody to keep an eye on the food until you return.

Call the Fire Damage Restoration Contractors from Paul Davis

When you have a home fire, don’t wait to call Paul Davis. Our professional team has the skills you need with fire damage repair services and we‘ll have your residence back to a habitable condition. Call us at 888-473-7669 and a local franchise near you will be prepared to help out.