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U.S. fire departments respond to a home fire every 88 seconds.
House fires can result in a devastating loss of property and, worse, lives. Fortunately, house fires are highly preventable through proper planning. It’s worth taking a few minutes to discuss fire safety if it means saving lives.
Keep reading for some of our top fire safety planning tips to ensure you and your family stay safe.
The Top Fire Safety Planning Tip
Install Smoke Detectors
The first and most important thing you need to do to protect your home and your family from a fire is to install smoke detectors throughout your home.
This is an affordable and easy way to be immediately alerted to a potential fire in your home. They should be installed on every floor and near any bedrooms.
The catch: simply installing smoke detectors is not enough. Many homeowners install smoke detectors but fail to maintain them. It’s important to test your smoke detectors once a month. If they aren’t working or their batteries are dead, they are useless.
Replace the batteries every 10 years. Never disable your smoke detectors for any reason, including while you cook.
Get Fire Extinguishers
The second most important way to prepare your home for a fire is to purchase fire extinguishers and make sure they are ready to use throughout your home.
If a small fire breaks out, using a fire extinguisher will prevent the fire from spreading. It’s important to keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, workshop, and garage. Make sure to check them regularly to make sure they are in working order.
You can contact your local fire department if you need help learning to use or maintain your fire extinguisher.
You might even get a discount on your homeowner’s insurance for having one.
[Read: Where to Get Your Fire Extinguisher Serviced in Prescott, AZ?]
Educate Your Children
Talking to your kids about fire safety is an easy way to prevent home fires. Many fires are unintentionally set by kids playing with lighters and matches.
Educating your children on the dangers of playing with fire and teaching them what to do if a fire breaks out will help keep them safe around fire. Teach them that about firefighters and that it’s important not to hide if there is a fire.
Finally, teach them the age-old adage, STOP, DROP, and ROLL.
Create a Family Fire Safety Plan
If despite your preparedness, the worst does happen, it’s important to have a plan in place.
Everyone in the family should know what to do in case of a fire, from where to meet outside the house to how to properly use portable fire extinguishers.
Create both an escape plan and a communication plan in the event of a fire in the home. Make sure every member of your family is on the same page when it comes to the fire safety plan.
Designate at least two evacuation routes from each bedroom. Practice the plan to the best of your ability to make sure there are no barricades such as stuck windows.
One thing you can do is execute an emergency procedures drill with your family. This will help everyone know what to do in case of an emergency.
Here is an example of a fire safety plan:
1. Make sure all family members know where the fire extinguishers are and how to use them.
During a fire emergency, everyone in the family should be able to help put out the fire.
2. Make sure all family members know where the fire alarm system is and how to use them.
If there is a fire, the fire and smoke alarms will sound and let you know where the fire is. The fire alarm systems could help you save time in getting out of the house.
3. Have an emergency evacuation plan and make sure everyone knows it.
If there is a fire, you will need to know how to get out of the house quickly. An escape plan can help make sure everyone gets out safely.
4. Regularly test your fire sprinkler systems and fire alarms to make sure they are working.
Fire sprinklers can help put out a fire, but you need to make sure they are working properly. Test them regularly to be safe.
5. Identify fire hazards in your home and make sure to remove them.
Be on the lookout for things that could start a fire, such as candles, lighters, combustible waste materials, and heat-producing equipment in your home.
6. Collect contact details from fire response organizations or the fire department near you.
In case of a fire, you will need to contact the fire department. It is important to have their contact information handy so you can quickly get in touch with them.
With a little bit of planning, you can make sure your home is safe from fire. By following these tips, you can help protect your home and your family from the dangers of fire.
Consult a Professional
When it comes to fire prevention and safety planning, there is no such thing as too much.
Consider consulting a professional fire security systems company to help fire-proof your home with efficient and quality fire protection systems. Keeping your family safe is their top priority.
The Fire Protection Equipment You’ll Need
Here are some pieces of fire protection equipment that you must have at home for your fire safety plans:
- Fire extinguishers
- Smoke alarms
- Fire alarm system
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Escape ladder (if your home has more than one level)
These can help you put out a small fire or escape from a larger one.
When it comes to fire prevention and safety, you can never be too prepared. By taking some simple steps and being vigilant, you can protect your home and your family from the dangers of fire.
Contact B&W Fire Security Systems today for more information about fire safety planning for your home.
