The Value of Planning for House Fires – What to Prepare & Plan

The fire damage repair professionals from Paul Davis know how disastrous house fires are. Not only can house fires ruin your property and personal possessions, but they are emotionally jarring and make you feel unsafe. Fires can happen without a moment’s notice and can be provoked by a number of things, and they can be out of your control such as your neighbor’s house being on fire or natural disasters. But there are still a few precautions you can take to decrease the dangers of a house fire in your home.

Fire Preparation – Fire Escape Plans & Recovery

Safety should be the number one priority when getting ready for a house fire, and fire extinguishers and smoke alarms should be located throughout the house. Smoke alarms are fundamental because a fire can come out of nowhere and you have to take action as quickly as possible. Something else to consider with smoke alarms is getting ones that can identify smoke caused from electrical fires. Finally, any children residing in the house have to be instructed on what a smoke alarm sounds like when it’s triggered and what to do when it occurs.

Execute fire escape routes and make sure everyone knows about them. It’s crucial to have two exits from every room in the property. Also, you’ll want to have a designated meeting area outside of the property so that you know everyone gets out safely.

Taking inventory of your personal belongings is a great idea for insurance purposes in case all your property is demolished by the flames. You’ll also want to keep valuable documents such as passports and birth certificates in a fire safe box, and you can create digital copies and upload them to a cloud drive for added measure.

Things to Think about to Lessen House Fire Dangers

Here are a few things to be aware of so you can decrease the risks and hazards that are associated with house fires:

  • Cooking: The kitchen is one of the most susceptible places for a fire to develop. It’s important to be attentive to what’s on the stove or in the oven, and when you have to step out, have someone keep an eye on it until you come back.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Make sure to do a periodic examination on your electrical appliances and make sure the cords and plugs are in good condition. Also, when your light switches are hot to the touch, then you need to replace them.
  • Portable Heaters: It’s vital to relocate any combustible items at least three feet away from a space heater. You’ll also want your space heater to have a control mechanism as well as other safety features such as turning off when the heater falls over.
  • Fireplaces: Creosote is highly combustible and it builds up in your fireplace and chimney after it’s been in use, so always get your fireplace cleaned regularly. Getting a large, strong screen is also vital to prevent sparks from flying into the room and log rollovers.
  • Children: Kids are curious and fire is appealing for them, so instruct your children that fire isn’t something to play with. In addition, keep your matches and lighters in an area that’s out of sight and out of reach.
  • Smoking: Outdoor smoking is the finest approach to prevent a house fire from taking place. Don’t smoke inside if someone in the home is using oxygen because it is highly combustible. When you smoke indoors, don’t smoke in bed and while lethargic and have ashtrays with tall walls.

Get in Touch with the Fire Damage Repair Contractors from Paul Davis

When you have a house fire, don’t wait to contact Paul Davis. Our expert team has the experience you need with fire damage restoration services and we can have your property back to a good condition. Reach out to us at 888-473-7669 and a franchise near your area will be available to help out.