How to Prevent Fire Damage

You can’t always prevent a fire but there are a number of things you can do to help prevent fire damage in your home. Prevention can be obtained by having the proper equipment on hand, and knowing basic electrical safety skills. This simplest forms of prevention can go a long way when protecting your home and property from fire and smoke damage.

Step 1 – Preventative Equipment

Always make sure your home is ready in the event of an emergency. In most states, it is a legal requirement to have a working smoke detector on each floor of your home, particularly if you are renting out to tenants. If your smoke detector is not wired directly into your home’s electrical source, you will need to replace the batteries on a regular basis. The easiest way to remember this is to test your smoke detectors on a weekly basis and replace the batteries when you change your clocks in the spring and fall.

Although there are no legal obligations to have them, fire extinguishers and fire door closures in your home will also help prevent fire damage. Put fire extinguishers in easy to reach places in locations where fires are most likely to happen; basement stairwells and adjacent to kitchen counters are ideal locations. Check fire extinguishers when you check your smoke detectors to make sure they are in good working order. You may also want to install fire door closures in rooms where gas or water boilers are located. Even something as simple as a fireguard can be a great preventative measure in protecting your home from fire damage.

Step 2 – Wiring

Faulty wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires. Ensuring your home is safely wired will lessen the risk of fire. Things you will want to look for include switches and outlets that don’t work properly, appliances on circuits with improper ampage, and power bars with too many machines plugged in. If you need to replace switches, outlets or lighting fixtures, make sure the wires are not frayed and are all securely attached.

Step 3 – In the Kitchen

With high cooking temperatures and grease splatters, many house fires start in the kitchen. Following some simple safety measures will help reduce the risk of fire in your kitchen. Keep pot handles turned toward the center of the stove to keep them from being knocked over accidentally. Secure loose clothing, especially sleeves, so they don’t burn on an element, and keep flammable itens like hand towels a safe distance away. Keep grease off of cooking surfaces by using pot lids and splatter screens. Never leave hot oils unattended, and keep a fire blanket on an accessible rack or shelf just in case the worst should happen.

Step 4 – Naked Flames

Candles can provide a sense of romance but they also pose a huge fire hazard. Never leave a candle burning on its own in a room. Keep areas around candles free from clutter. Give burning candles on the dinner table plenty of space to prevent knocking them over accidentally.

Other naked flames, such as tealights or open fires, should never be left unattended. Never leave combsutible items like matches or cigarette lighter near heat sources or in the reach of children.