Protecting your home and family is everyone’s number one priority. With the hottest weeks of summer quickly approaching, this means fireproofing your house. This guide to fireproofing your home will help you to avoid a potential disaster and prepare a plan in case these measures fail.
There are many things that you can do to lower the risk of a fire in your household. Some of these are more obvious than others, but all are important. Perhaps the most obvious, and most important, step to take is to check your fire alarms on a regular basis. You should check your smoke alarms at least twice a year and replace them if there are any problems. Also make sure that any children in the house know the sound of the alarm and what to do if it goes off.
Another step to protecting your home against a fire is to clear out the clutter. Excessive clutter is dangerous in more ways than one. First of all, it creates an abundance of fuel to spread the fire around the house quickly. It also creates barriers that will get in the way and possibly prevent you or a loved one from escaping the fire at all. Always try to keep a clean, organized household and make sure that all possible exits, including bottom floor windows, are accessible.
One of the most common types of fire started in the home is the electrical fire. Just because you can plug six appliances into the same circuit does not mean that it is a wise decision. Make sure that you do not overload your circuits, and do not use lightbulbs with a higher wattage than your light fixtures are designed for. When in doubt, be sure to call a professional electrician to look over your wiring. Another common fire-starter is the clothes dryer. Dryer lint builds up quickly in the lint trap. If the trap is not emptied out on a regular basis, it could become dangerous. The trap should be emptied approximately every four to six loads.
Summer is barbecue season, which means there are some steps you will need to take outside the home as well. Start off by fireproofing your patio furniture, or buying new fireproof furniture. This will be expensive, but it is well worth the cost to ensure your safety. Small trees, shrubs and dry grass can ignite quickly in the summer heat. If there are any plants near your grilling area, consider moving or transplanting them elsewhere in the yard. In case there is an emergency, an accessible outdoor fire extinguisher is a must have. Fire extinguishers are faster and more reliable than a garden house, and a few seconds can make a big difference when it comes to a fire. Leftover coals and ash should be disposed of properly, either left to cool overnight or extinguished with water or sand.
Following these steps should significantly decrease your risk of a fire in your home. Your home and family are the most important things in your life, and they deserve to be protected. If you want more information on how you can protect your home from a fire, you should contact your local fire department.
