Fire is one of the most devastating things that can happen in any home. Although home insurance can rebuild the house and get homeowners back on their feet, there are precious memories and sentimental items that simply can’t be replaced. Making a home as safe as possible from a fire is the best way to protect those memories, as well as the people in the home. InsuranceHotline.com provides some important tips that will help keep a home safe from a fire.
Home fires cause an incredible amount of damage, and even if the fire department arrives in time, there is smoke and water damage to add to the mix. InsuranceHotline.com provides these fire prevention tips that may help stop fire damage before it starts.
Fire Safety Devices are the Key
Most homes are equipped with fire safety equipment that is designed to provide warnings and help stop a fire before it can spread. Many homeowners don’t pay much attention to those items, however, and that can be a costly mistake.
Smoke detectors are the first line of defense against a house fire. They should be installed in all of the major areas of the home, including the bedrooms. Be sure to check the batteries on them regularly and make a habit of changing them out for fresh batteries at least once a year. Many people use the daylight savings time change as a reminder to check the batteries in their smoke detectors. Don’t wait until the detector starts to make a warning sound. "A functional smoke detector can warn you in time to stop a fire in its tracks, so make sure all of them are working properly," says Tammy Ezer of InsuranceHotline.com.
Keep fire extinguishers in the kitchen and the garage, as well as any other location where a fire is likely to start. Have them checked on a regular basis to be sure they are in good working order. Take the time to review the instructions so that when it’s needed there won’t be any time wasted trying to figure out how to use it.
Fire Hazards are Everywhere
One of the easiest things to do in order to prevent a fire is to simply not allow smoking inside the home. Cigarettes are a major cause of fires in homes, and even a cigarette that appears to be out can smolder in an ashtray; all it takes is for it to be knocked over by a passing pet or person.
Don’t keep anything flammable near the fireplace, and have the chimney cleaned and inspected every year before the winter fire season. Be sure the hearth area meets the fire code, and consider a fireproof rug around the fireplace if the home has carpeting.
Use extreme caution with candles and incense, as they can be easily knocked over. Don’t leave them burning unattended. Consider using a flameless source as a scented option instead of candles.
Teach Fire Safety
If there are children in the home, it’s vital that the understand fire safety. Take the time to talk to them about how fires start and the importance of not playing with open flames.
Be sure that all matches, lighters, and other sources of flame are kept completely out of reach in a place where kids can’t find them. Although talking about fire safety with them is important, keeping the source of flame safely locked away is even better.
