It’s terrifying to think about losing your home to a fire, but there’s a lot you can do to keep fires from starting. Even if mishaps occur, you can learn how to prevent a fire from starting and spreading throughout your home.
Keep your home safe from electrical fires, grease fires, and house fires by following our fire prevention tips.
1. Make sure your smoke detectors are working.
Your first line of defense against danger is fire and smoke detectors. The sensors inside that small device on your wall sound the alarm when smoke and heat enter it. This means you’ll be able to identify the issue before it becomes an emergency. So make sure your smoke and fire detectors are in good working order.
Every month, conduct a test.
Make it a monthly habit to test your smoke and fire detectors. It only takes a few minutes to test them, and in an emergency, they can save your home.
Although testing varies by model, most standard detectors have a button on the face. Wait for the alarm to sound by pressing that button.
Ask a friend (kids, spouse, or roommate) to keep an eye out for the alarm in a different room. The smoke detector may be operational, but it is useless if no one in the house can hear it. Once a month, do this for each smoke detector in your home to keep them in good working order.
As needed, replace the batteries.
You’ll know when the batteries in your smoke alarms are running low. Those irritating chirps every few minutes aren’t just for entertainment. They’re low-battery warnings, and you shouldn’t ignore them. If a fire breaks out in your home and the batteries in your smoke detector run out, the alarm will not sound, putting your home at risk.
Every ten years, it should be replaced.
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Smoke detectors, like any other appliance, degrade over time. Replace your smoke detectors every ten years to keep your fire alarm system in top shape. Standard models are inexpensive, so when it’s time to replace your smoke alarms, it’s worth investing in smart smoke alarms with a few extra features.
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2. Keep an eye on your appliances
Stoves and washing machines make life easier, but they can also be dangerous when they catch fire. Almost half of all house fires start in the kitchen, according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to make each room in your house a little safer.
In the cooking area
The kitchen may be the best room in the house for everything from family meals to late-night snacks. However, with so many appliances in one location, it warrants a little extra attention.
When it’s time to cook, keep flammable items like curtains, rags, and chemicals away from your oven, stove, and any hot plates. If at all possible, do not leave the room unattended. In case of grease fires or other emergencies, keep a fire extinguisher on hand in the kitchen.
What Is the Best Way to Put Out a Grease Fire?
If a fire breaks out while you’re cooking, don’t panic; just put it out as soon as you can.
Turn off the heat source and cover the fire with a heavy metal lid.
A small fire can be put out with baking soda or salt. To put out the fire, do not use water.
In case the fire spreads, keep a B-Class dry chemical fire extinguisher nearby.
If you can’t put out the fire, call 911 and get out.
Before a fire breaks out, learn how to use a fire extinguisher.
Areas for sleeping
Begin by inspecting your mattress to ensure that it contains flame-retardant chemicals. Consider using a flame-resistant mattress cover for added safety.
In the bedroom, good habits and smart fire safety practices can also help prevent fires. In the bedroom, electric blankets, smoking in bed, space heaters, and overloaded wall sockets are all dangers. If you must smoke, do so outside. Only use electric blankets that have an auto-shutoff feature. Also, avoid plugging too many things into wall sockets and power strips.
The family room
Your living room or den, if you have a fireplace, could be a fire hazard. Keep the stove or fireplace free of debris and flammable materials (even when not in use). While having a Christmas tree near the fire sounds inviting, it can be extremely dangerous if proper precautions are not taken.
Keep the glass windows open and the metal screen closed when using your fireplace. This allows air into the fireplace while also preventing embers from landing on your floors. To move any logs inside, use fire-safe tools like iron pokers. Never, ever, ever use your hands.
The laundromat
Until you remember that dryer lint is flammable, the laundry room appears to be an odd place for fire hazards. When it comes to the most common places in your home where fires start, the laundry room gets its fair share of attention. These powerful appliances can overheat if the vents aren’t cleaned on a regular basis.
Outside and in the garage
Outside and backyard fires are commonly caused by grills, bonfires, and fireworks. But did you know that potting soil can also cause a fire? Fertilizer and some potting soil brands contain flammable materials that can ignite when exposed to heat or when a cigarette is smoked.
Gardening supplies should be kept in a cool, dry place. If anyone in your home smokes, make sure they have a safe place to put their cigarettes out.
Keep flammable products away from heat sources, whether it’s the grill or the summer sun. Designate a cool, dark cupboard for flammable items, and make sure everyone in the family knows where to find them.
Paint and gasoline, for example, should be kept in their original containers. Store tightly closed paint containers upside down to allow the paint to seal the container. Gasoline should be stored in gasoline-specific containers. If a container cracks or leaks, replace it with a new container made of the same material.