Fire Safety and Prevention Tips

10/5/2021 (Permalink)

Frayed wires such as this one can cause electrical fires which are responsible for nearly 25% of all house fires.

October is fire prevention month. Here are 7 tips to ensure that you and your family are prepared in the case of a fire: 

• Install and maintain smoke detectors- Smoke detectors can alert you to a fire even if you are sleeping or in another room of the house. Installing smoke detectors on each level of your house and checking them monthly is a great step to ensure that your family is alerted immediately if there is a fire.  
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand-  having fire extinguishers at the ready and familiarizing family members with how to use them can prevent a small fire from turning into a huge problem. 
• Have a fire escape plan- Meet with your family members or roommates and decide what to do if a fire were to occur. Locate all exits and be prepared by keeping fire ladders on upper floors in case exits are obstructed.   
• Use caution when cooking- Don’t leave cooking food unattended. Check that stovetops, burners and oven are turned off when you are done cooking.  
• Lighters are tools not toys- Keep lighters, matches, and other potential fire hazards away from children. Watch children around open flames such as candles and stovetop burners.  
• Open flames aren’t the only fire hazards- Almost a quarter of house fires are electrical. If an electrical appliance sparks, smokes or has an unusual smell it could indicate an issue that could easily become a fire hazard. In this situation, unplug the appliance and get it fixed before using again and proactively prevent fires by replacing frayed electrical cords. 
• Remember: stop, drop, and roll- In the case of a fire if your clothes catch fire stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face and roll to smother the flames. 

Remember, in the case of a fire, the best thing to do is be prepared. By practicing good fire prevention habits you can minimize the risk of fires and be ready in if one were to occur. In the case of a past fire, call SERVPRO for your fire clean up and restoration needs.