Fire prevention safety tips for your home are probably not discussed often–face it, it’s not really great dinner conversation. That being said, the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) states that the U.S. fire departments respond to an estimated 338,000 home structure fires per year between 2010-2014, but thankfully the number of home structure fires have been reduced by half.
We can lower by taking safety precautions around your home. Lessen the chances of having a fire in your home by implementing the fire safety tips in this article. Be sure to share these tips with your family and loved ones too!
Remove and Reduce Hazards
You might have some hazards around your house that you don’t know about. But that’s okay because I’m here to tell you how to remove those hazards in your home today!
- Never leave lit candles unattended.
- Overloading outlets can result in cords and even the outlets themselves become overheated and catching surrounding materials alight. Take care to NOT run extension cords behind curtains or under rugs.
- Unclutter your kitchen and keep flammable items away from the stove.
- Hiring a professional to clean your dyer cabinet every couple of years if you are not able to do it yourself. Clearing the lint screen after every load isn’t enough.
- Remove trash and flammable items in the attic, basements, or garage and dispose of properly.
- Be very cautious when plugs don’t fit into the receptacles as tight as they used to. This can be extremely dangerous. Remove the cover plate and inspect the outlet itself. If you see any black soot or other signs of arcing, stop using that outlet immediately and call an electrician.
- If using space heaters, keep space heaters near anything that can burn.
- Use common sense when smoking in your home. Keep lighters and ashtrays away from children, and better yet, smoke outside.
Fire Prevention
To prevent fires from ruining your home, make sure smoke detectors are installed and working properly. Replace the batteries at least once a year and test them about once a month. Educate your children about what it means when a smoke detector goes off and what to do when it happens.
The American Red Cross has a printable check list on their website that elaborates on all the points in this article. It’s a great reference for everyone!
Make an Escape Plan
Making a fire escape plan with your family in your home is crucial for everyone’s safety. There should be two escape routes to get out of your home. There should also be a specific spot outside the house that your family meets after exiting to ensure that everyone is there and unharmed.
The American Red Cross also has a great Home Fire Escape Plan you can print out to draw the floor plan of your home and discuss ways to get out safely.
Act as if there is a fire in your home and practice these two ways to get out. Then, in case a fire does happen in your home, your family will know how to respond.
What to do During a Fire
Educate yourself before the fire happens. Read these tips below to make sure you stay as safe as possible during a house fire.
- Leave personal items behind. You are more important than material items.
- Crawl under the smoke to protect yourself and your lungs.
- If you see smoke coming out from under a door, keep that door shut. Instead, use another door to get out.
- The second you hear a smoke detector go off, get out of the house fast.
- If your clothing catches on fire, stop, drop, and roll.
- If anyone is stuck in the house, call 9-1-1 or the fire department. Tell them exactly where that person is located.
Keep You and Your Family Safe
Prevent a fire from happening in your home. Go around your house and look for areas where you can prevent a fire. Show this article to your family as well, so you are already if a fire does happen. Keep you, your family, and your home safe!
