Fire Safety Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

You don’t really expect misfortune to strike you—call it the optimism bias. However, accidents don’t announce their arrival. Take fire accidents, for instance. Unattended stoves, electrical malfunctions, or natural occurrences, such as lightning, can lead to house fires. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to be prudent and proactive in this matter. Take steps to maintain fire safety at home, so that you’re not caught off guard and are better prepared to stave off a mishap.

Install Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors with alarms are absolute lifesavers in closed settings, such as a home, an office, or a commercial space. The reason they’re necessary is that a fire may not always be visible, even in compact spaces. If everyone is sitting in the living room, for instance, they may not notice an electrical outlet short-circuiting and starting to smoke in the bedroom. Here’s where smoke detectors can help. They can sense fumes billowing and immediately send an audible alarm. This can help you run to safety and take the necessary steps to extinguish the fire before it does more damage.

There’s one thing that you need to keep in mind. Proper placement is key. As a homeowner, you must ensure that every level, room, and hallway of your house has a smoke detector installed.

Test Alarms Regularly

Proper and timely maintenance of smoke detectors is as important as installing them. After all, these are devices running on batteries. Over time, they can weaken or die out. The only way to know your alarm is working when you need it is to test it regularly. A quick press of the test button is all it takes, yet it’s a step many forget. Ideally, you should test all your smoke alarms at least once a month and replace their batteries at least once a year.

Have a Fire Escape Plan

Every home needs to have a fire escape plan. If you don’t already have one, you can start by sketching a simple layout of your home. This can help you figure out at least two exit points for every room, which includes windows as well. If you live in a multi-story home, make sure to invest in escape ladders; they are an essential part of fire escape planning. That said, climbing down an escape ladder might not be possible for everyone, especially those with mobility issues. In that case, it’s better to think ahead and install ramps and stair lifts.

Keep Fire Extinguishers Handy

Along with a smoke alarm, keeping a fire extinguisher attached at every level of your home, especially in the kitchen, is essential. Look for a spot on every level. The extinguisher should be easily accessible to everyone on the floor. It goes without saying, but make sure that you and everyone in the house knows how to use the fire extinguisher. In the event of an emergency, always remember the “PASS” technique: pull the pin, aim the nozzle, squeeze the handle, and sweep the nozzle horizontally. Make sure to aim at the base of the fire, not the flames.

Install Home Sprinkler Systems

Sprinkler systems are not only for shops, malls, and theaters. You can now get your hands on residential sprinkler systems, designed specifically for homes. Since these systems activate automatically in the event of a fire, they can help control the flames before they grow out of control. In many cases, sprinklers can even put out a fire entirely, limiting both damage and danger.

Follow Food Safety

Per a report by the American Red Cross, the reason behind more than 170,000 home fires reported every year is cooking. One of the most essential fire prevention tips is to always stay alert and maintain safety in the kitchen. Make sure to never leave the kitchen when something is being fried, grilled, or boiled. And if you’ve set something to simmer or bake, set an alarm to check on it every 10–15 minutes. Also, see to it that all flammable items, such as paper towels, are kept at a safe distance of at least three feet from the stove. As a precautionary measure, never cook or even turn on the stove or the oven when you’re sleepy. This is something that everyone in the house should follow to prevent any mishaps.

Use Space Heaters Safely

Space heaters are also a common cause of house fires. The reason, in most cases, is that they may be blocked by something. The rule for using space heaters is to give them space. Nothing should be placed closer than three feet to the heater, especially clothes, furniture, and curtains. A heater should also never be left running when you’re not in the room.