“Don’t stand too close to fire, else you might get burned”, they say— but the thing is, we hardly go out of our way to search for the flames, they usually come to us, unfortunately. It’s not like every house fire was started by some pyromaniac, so how do we avoid these highly catastrophic and most times fatal accidents? Stick with us as we serve you premium tips on how to reduce the risks and avoid fire outbreaks in your homes.
Be very vigilant around Your Kitchen
A good deal of house fires are traced to a kitchen incidence and a few seconds is all it takes for a fire to break out. This is why you never want to leave cooking food unattended. If you have to leave the kitchen for any reason, turn off that pot of tasty yummy potatoes first.
If for whatever reason you can’t turn off the oven, call someone into the kitchen to watch the food until you get back.
Regularly Test Your Smoke Alarms
The easiest way to avoid a house fire is by checking your smoke alarms regularly. There is a little button on it that you can press to test it. If it beeps weakly, then you need to change the batteries as soon as possible.
If a fire breaks out and it’s not working, tragedy can quickly occur as no one is alerted to evacuate. Never be too lazy or cheap to replace a busted one, as it could help you save a whole lot should there be a breakout.
Get in the habit of testing your smoke and fire detectors once a month. It only takes a few minutes to test them, and it can save your home in an emergency.
Keep barbecues clean and maintained.
Regularly check that burner ports are free of debris, and examine the hose and its connections for leaks using a 50/50 solution of water and dish soap – if you see bubbles when the gas is on it means you have a leak. When in use, never leave a barbecue unattended and keep it away from fences, vinyl siding or anything that can burn. In the event of a grease fire, douse the flames with baking soda (keep a box on hand) or a fire extinguisher. Water will only spread the flames.
Be Careful with Your Fireplace
You don’t want any stray sparks to escape so you need to make sure you have a door between the flames and your flooring. It goes without saying, but never leave the room when the fireplace is going.
When you throw the ashes away, make sure you’ve given them more than enough time to cool down. Dispose of them in a metal container that is designated just for the ashes.
Keep Fire Extinguishers Around
Those little nozzle red cans are often your best defense weapon when a fire breaks out. You want to make sure you have one in every room that is a potential threat, such as the kitchen.
Every family member should know how to use an extinguisher so if a fire does happen, it can be put out as fast as possible.
Practice safe habits
Simple precautions and staying aware of your surroundings lower the chances of a fire in your home. It’s easy to get distracted while going about your day, but activities like cooking can become dangerous quickly without some mindfulness. So start by forming fire-safe habits like these.
Be Careful with candles
We see candles throughout the year during holidays, the occasional spa night, and romantic dinners. But no matter what you’re celebrating (or unwinding from), it’s important to play it safe.
Never leave candles unattended and always keep them away from flammable items like blankets and curtains. Place candles in secure, tip-proof holders and extinguish them before leaving or going to sleep. If you’re afraid you’ll forget, set a timer on your stove or phone.
Close bedroom doors
House fires spread quickly when there are no barriers. Something as simple as closing bedroom doors at night can create passive fire protection that buys precious seconds when it counts.
Don’t smoke inside
We don’t recommend smoking, but if you do it, do it safely. Stay at least 25 feet from the nearest door and keep a place to dispose of your cigarette butts like an ashtray or smokers’ pole. If you smoke near a shed or garage, be sure the area is clear of flammable liquids and fumes.
We hope with these handy tips, you’ll be consciously doing a better job of making your home flame-free, and if you’ll love your home to be professionally fireproofed, please don’t hesitate to contact us at ADNA Contracting. Stay safe out there.
