As far as destructive emergencies go there aren’t many events as overwhelming as a fire that destroys your property and possessions. A fire in your house is a harrowing and an emotionally draining event, whether it damages everything or not. But there are specific precautions you can implement to lessen the likelihood of a fire from occurring in your house. The fire damage repair team from Paul Davis knows the serious situation of home fires and that’s why it’s essential to know how to plan and prepare your home and what to do when a fire happens.
Preparation for House Fire – Emergency Plans & Recovery
All home fires aren’t avoidable and you can only do so much. That is why the most effective thing for you to do is have safety strategies ready. Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are a necessity, and make sure you have the right number to suit your house. But you should consider installing smoke alarms that can identify smoke from fires generated by electricity, since damaged wiring can be a cause of home fires. When there are kids in the home, you’ll want to instruct them on how the smoke alarm sounds and what to do when in the case where one goes off.
Implement plans for emergency fire routes and make sure everyone knows about them. It’s vital to have two exits out of all rooms in the residence. Also, you’ll want to have a designated meeting area outside of the residence so that you’re sure everyone gets out safely.
Taking inventory of your personal belongings is a great idea for insurance reasons just in case all your property is damaged by the flames. You’ll also want to preserve valuable things such as passports and birth certificates in a strong box, and you can make digital replicas and upload them to a cloud drive for back ups.
To Decrease the Dangers of Home Fires Take These Measures
Despite the fact that some fires are uncontrollable, here are some steps you should take to avoid a home fire:
- Fireplaces: Having a suitable screen for your fireplace is necessary for the safety of your residence and everyone in it. Make sure it’s durable enough to prevent rolling logs and flares. You also should clean and maintain your fireplace and chimney regularly to clear away the intensely combustible creosote that forms.
- Portable Heaters: Guarantee your space heater has a thermostat and a control mechanism, and it needs to turn off if it falls over on its side.
- Smoking: Outdoor smoking is the best method to prevent a home fire from happening. Don’t smoke indoors if someone in the home is using oxygen since it is highly combustible. When you smoke indoors, don’t smoke while lethargic or in bed and have ashtrays with tall walls.
- Children: Teach your kids that fire is not a toy, and be sure to store lighters and matches in an area that is out of sight and out of reach.
- Cooking: Always remain in the area while you’re cooking and don’t leave it alone. When you have to leave the area, get someone to keep an eye on the food until you return.
- Appliances and Electrical: Test the switches for your lights to see if they have to be replaced. When you touch them and they’re hot, that’s a sign that they’re damaged. In addition, check your electrical appliances for worn out cords and broken plugs.
Contact the Skillful Fire Damage Restoration Contractors at Paul Davis
Home fires happen, whether it’s a mishap or something out of your power, Paul Davis is here to lend a helping hand. Our fire damage restoration services can restore your home back to a good condition again. Reach out to Paul at 570-402-2300 and a franchise near your location will be there to help.
