The Significance of Planning for House Fires – What to Prepare & Plan

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

The Emphasis of Emergency Plans

One of the most critical things you can do to plan for a house fire is to have safety rules in place. Since not all fires are avoidable, being safe is essential. Every home needs the proper amount of smoke alarms and fire extinguishers located around the property. Additionally, you should consider buying smoke alarms that identify smoke that is generated by electrical fires because damaged wiring is one of the main culprits of house fires. Kids in the house should be taught what the smoke alarm sounds like when it’s triggered and what to do when this occurs.

Next, have your fire escape routes in order. Every member in the house should know two ways to get out from every room and where to gather outside when a fire occurs. Also, make sure that all members of the household know how to call 911 in the case of an emergency.

Making a record of your personal belongings is an excellent idea for insurance purposes just in case all your property is damaged by the flames. You’ll also want to keep valuable items such as passports and birth certificates in a fire safe box, and you can create digital copies and upload them to a cloud drive for back ups.

What to Keep in Mind to Lessen House Fire Risk

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

  • Portable Heaters: Not under any circumstance should you allow a portable space heater unattended, and keep flammable objects three feet away from it. It’s also crucial for your heater to have the correct features for safety. For example, the heater shuts off when it falls over.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Test the switches for your lights to see if they need to be changed out. When you touch them and they’re hot, that’s a sign that they’re defective. Another thing you should do is check your appliances for frayed cords and defective plugs.
  • Children: Teach your children that fire is not a toy, and make sure to keep your matches and lighters in an area that is out of sight and out of reach.
  • Cooking: The kitchen is one of the most common places for a fire to occur. It’s critical to pay attention to what’s on the stove or in the oven, and when you need to leave, have somebody watch over it until you return.
  • Smoking: Smoking outside is the best method to prevent a house fire from occurring. Don’t smoke indoors if someone in the house is on oxygen because it is highly combustible. When you smoke indoors, don’t smoke while lethargic or in bed and have ashtrays with tall walls.
  • Fireplaces: It’s crucial to routinely clean and examine your fireplace for creosote and other damage. Get a screen for your fireplace that is sturdy and large enough to prevent rolling logs and catch flying sparks.

Reach Out to the Experienced Fire Damage Repair Contractors from Paul Davis

House fires happen, whether it’s something out of your power or an accident, Paul Davis is here to help out. Our fire damage repair services can restore your residence back to normal again. Get in touch with Paul Davis at 888-473-7669 and a franchise in your area will be there to help out.