National Fire Prevention Week: How to Prevent Housefires

It’s always good to be prepared for a house fire, but it’s better to try and prevent them from starting in the first place. Remembering to turn off the oven, blow out the candles, unplug the space heaters are all good places to start. Always keep fire safety at the top of your mind to keep you and your loved ones safe and here are some great tips for preventing fires from starting or spreading. 

Educate 

Everyone in the household should be knowledgeable about fire safety to know how to respond accordingly. Knowing where the fire extinguishers are and how to properly use them could save lives. Ever leave the stove on while you are cooking to answer the door or load the dishwasher? I’m sure the answer for most of you is, yes! But turning the stove off every time you leave the room could prevent a serious fire. Also, get your local fire department involved! They can teach you the best methods of fire prevention in your home. 

Test Smoke Alarms Regularly 

According to the U.S. Fire Administration you should test your smoke alarms at least once a month. The batteries in those alarms should be replaced twice and year, and the entire alarm should be replaced every 10 years. Every level of the house and every bedroom area should have a working smoke detector. 

When the time comes up to replace your smoke alarms, consider going with the smart detectors. These smoke alarms can connect to your WiFi and are compatible with most smart home systems. They can even notify emergency services to the fire! 

Common Flammable Household Items 

Rubbing alcohol, hairspray and other aerosol cans, and gasoline or paint thinner all come to mind when thinking about highly flammable materials in your home. Some surprising items on the list are cooking oil and flour. Flour should never be used to extinguish fires because it is highly flammable and possibly explosive. 

One of the most important things to remember is to clean out the lint trap from your clothes dryer before each use. This is the number one cause of dryers catching fire and can do catastrophic damage to your home. 

Ensure Heating Sources are Working Properly 

The top cause of house fires in the United States is due to heating equipment according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Space heaters, central heating systems, and fireplaces could erupt in flames if they are left unchecked. Have a professional checkup to ensure they are working optimally and safely.  Some other steps you can take are pointing the space heaters away from flammable objects or furniture and cleaning and replacing air filters at regular intervals. 

If you have experienced a house fire, it is important to consult a fire restoration service professional help for repair and restoration of your home. Guarantee Restoration Services is home to a team of certified professionals who address the effects of fires on homes every single year. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.