What to Do to Prepare for a Fire on in Your House? – Fire Damage Restoration

The fire damage restoration experts from Paul Davis know how severe home fires are. Not only can home fires decimate your residence and personal possessions, but they are emotionally disconcerting and make you feel unsafe. Fires can occur without a moment’s notice and can be generated by a number of things, and they can be out of your control such as natural disasters or your neighbor’s house being on fire. But there are still some steps you can take to decrease the risk of a home fire in your home.

Design and Practice a Fire Escape Strategy

All home fires aren’t stoppable and there’s only so much you can do. That is why it’s necessary to have safety plans ready. Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are fundamental, and always check that you have the right number to accommodate your home. But you should consider installing smoke alarms that can detect smoke from electrical fires, because faulty wiring is one of the main causes of home fires. If there are children in the home, you’ll want to train them on what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when in the situation where one goes off.

Then have your emergency routes ready. Everyone in the house should know two ways to get out from every room and where to congregate outside when a fire happens. Additionally, ensure that everyone knows how to call 911 in the case of a house fire.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to create digital copies of valuable documents such as birth certificates, and you should think about getting a fire safety box to store them in. Record all of your personal possessions too in case they are engulfed in flames. You could either prepare a list on a device or take pictures or videos to catalog your property.

What to Be Cognizant of to Decrease House Fire Hazards

Even though some fires are out of your power, here are some safety measures you need to take to prevent a home fire:

  • Fireplaces: Creosote is extremely flammable and it forms in your fireplace after it’s been in use, so make sure to get your fireplace cleaned consistently. Having a large, durable screen is also critical to prevent sparks from entering the room and rolling logs.
  • Portable Heaters: Not under any condition should you leave a space heater alone, and keep flammable or combustible items three feet away from the heater. It’s also necessary for your space heater to contain the proper safety features. For instance, it turning off when it tips over.
  • Smoking: Cigarettes and cigars are extreme hazards for fire, and smoking outside is the perfect method to prevent a home fire. If you smoke inside, make sure you have ashtrays with deep walls and that you never smoke in bed or while you’re drowsy. In addition, not under any circumstance should you smoke inside if someone in the home is on oxygen since this is extremely combustible.
  • Children: Children are curious and fire is appealing to them, so instruct your children that fire isn’t something to play with. Also, store matches and lighters in an area that’s out of reach and out of sight.
  • Cooking: The kitchen is one of the more vulnerable places for a fire to develop. It’s fundamental to pay attention to what’s on the stove or in the oven, and if you need to leave, have somebody keep an eye on it until you return.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Shredded cords and damaged plugs could easily produce a home fire, so be sure to check your appliances routinely for any issues. Also, keep an eye on your light switches because if they’re hot, they need to be replaced.

Reach Out to the Fire Damage Restoration Professionals from Paul Davis

If you experience a home fire, don’t wait to reach out to Paul Davis. Our expert team has the skills you need with fire damage restoration services and we‘ll have your house back to a livable condition. Contact us at 888-473-7669 and a local franchise near you will be ready to help.