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Recently a campaign for Fire Prevention Month
focused on educating people about common hazards in the home that
are the leading causes of deadly house fires. Statistically, a person
is more likely to die in a house fire than by fire anywhere else.
Clearly, the message about what can be done for home fire prevention
has not been heard by everyone yet.
Sadly, there really is almost no excuse for anyone
to die like this. Adequate detectors and other safety equipment
can be purchased for a relatively small investment, and are widely
available online or at local retailers. The internet offers many
helpful tips about developing a safety plan and teaching even
the youngest children fire safety rules. It really doesn’t
take much time, or effort, to take the necessary steps to prevent
a deadly home fire.
Start with the basics. Do you have enough smoke
detectors? There should be one outside every bedroom, in the kitchen,
in the hallways and in the basement. As a kitchen fire will blaze
up quickly, you can get a detector that senses both fire and smoke.
Many models can be plugged into an electrical outlet. This kind
of smoke detector comes with a back up battery in case the power
fails. A regular inspection of all detectors in the house should
be done to make sure they work effectively. Several companies
sell a smoke detector tester that simulates smoke getting into
the sensing chamber to trigger an alarm. Sold in a spray can,
the ingredients are non-toxic and evaporate completely.
To help fight a small fire in the house before
it gets out of hand, make sure that you have several fire extinguishers.
Fire extinguishers are classed according to the types of fire
they are made to put out so make sure that you buy one that is
appropriate for your potential hazards. If you can’t afford
to get several units then it’s best to choose one that provides
protection against several classes of fire. For example, water
fire extinguishers are only effective against those started with
flammable materials such as paper or wood. It can be very dangerous
to use them against an electrical or gas fire. Therefore, a more
appropriate type of extinguisher could that may cover all scenarios
is a type ABC. To be certain you’ll be ready in case of fire
you should follow a schedule of fire extinguisher maintenance
to check for proper operation of your device.
Preventing an accidental fire is very important
in addition to having the right safety equipment. A kitchen fire
can start from something that many people take for granted like
leaving their cooking unattended. In terms of electrical safety,
check extension cords for signs of damage, wear or frayed wires.
And, use light bulbs with the correct wattage for the socket.
While it may seem overwhelming at first to develop
a comprehensive plan for home safety, it can be easily done if
you follow a checklist. There are many websites that offer tips
and guidelines that can be printed for reference. From fun learning
tools that teach your kids about fire safety, to product resources
and online ordering, you can cover all the steps to prevent a
house fire from the comfort of your home.
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