Fire Damage Repair Professional Guide - Planning for a House Fire
As far as destructive emergencies go there are few things as devastating as a fire that damages your house and personal possessions. A fire in your property is a distressing and an emotionally exhausting situation, whether it destroys everything or not. However, there are specific precautions you can take to decrease the chances of a fire from happening in your house. The fire damage repair team at Paul Davis knows the severe situation of house fires and that's why it's vital to know how to plan and prepare your home and what to do when a fire occurs.Form and Practice an Emergency Plan
When it comes to house fires, not all of them are in your control and can't be prevented. That's why the most crucial thing for you to do is have safety measures ready. Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are fundamental, and always check that you have the right number to suit your residence. However, you should consider installing smoke alarms that can detect smoke from electrical fires, because damaged wiring can be a cause of house fires. If there are children in the house, you'll want to teach them on how the smoke alarm sounds and what to do when in the incident where one goes off. Then get your fire escape program ready. Everyone in the house should know two ways to get out from each room and where to congregate outside when a fire occurs. Also, ensure that all members of the household know how to call 911 in the incident of a house fire. Taking inventory of your personal possessions is a great idea for insurance reasons just in case all your stuff is destroyed by the flames. You'll also want to preserve valuable items like passports and birth certificates in a strong box, and you can create digital copies and upload them to a cloud drive for back ups.What to Be Cognizant of to Lessen House Fire Hazards
Despite the fact that some fires are uncontrollable, there are some steps you should implement to prevent a house fire:- Fireplaces: Getting a suitable fireplace screen is integral for the safety of your house and everyone who resides in it. Ensure that it's sturdy enough to stop sparks and rolling logs. Additionally, you need to clean and maintain your fireplace routinely to rid the highly flammable creosote that develops.
- Portable Heaters: It's crucial to place any combustible or flammable items at least three feet away from a portable heater. You'll also want your heater to have a control mechanism as well as other features for safety such as shutting off when the heater falls over.
- Smoking: Cigars and cigarettes are extreme fire threats, and taking your smoking outside is the finest way to prevent a house fire. If you smoke inside, check that you have deep ashtrays and that under any circumstance you don't smoke in bed or while you're drowsy. Additionally, not under any circumstance should you smoke inside when someone in the house is using oxygen as this is very combustible.
- Children: Kids are curious and fire is fascinating for them, so educate your children that fire is not a toy. In addition, keep your lighters and matches in a safe place that's out of reach and out of sight.
- Cooking: Always stay in the area during the time you're cooking and don't leave it unattended. If you need to leave the area, get someone to watch over the food until you return.
- Appliances and Electrical: Examine the switches for your lights to see if they need to be replaced. If you touch them and they're hot, that's a sign that they're damaged. Another thing you need to do is examine your appliances for torn cords and damaged plugs.