Fire Prevention for the Home

8/14/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms are the best defense against house fires, but homeowners can also take other precautions in order to lessen their chances. Because of the multitude of house fire causes and how quickly they spread, many people are not aware of all the ways a fire could break out in their home.

House Fires by the Numbers

The NFPA estimates that there is one fire reported every 24 seconds. This makes the odds of experiencing a house fire for yourself higher than most would believe.

While cooking is still the leading cause of house fires, other hazards such as faulty heating systems, malfunctioning wiring and unattended open flames can also be a catalyst for disaster.

Fire Prevention for the Home

It is key to be proactive when reducing your risk of experiencing a house fire. Prevent fires in your own home with these helpful tips:

Check smoke detectors. Batteries of smoke alarms should be checked every 30 days and replaced every 10 years.

Clean the lint collector of your dryer. Lint left over in the tray from previous loads of laundry can be a fire hazard if left uncleaned.

Monitor open flames closely. Never leave the room if an open flame is present. Candles, cooking flames or heat sources can quickly get out of hand.

Maintain electrical cords. Frayed spots in electrical cords can spark and lead to fires, so it is important to inspect them often and replace them immediately when frays develop. Because cords can also put off heat, never route them behind or under furniture.

Read product labels. Aerosol cans are highly flammable, and most households have many supplies contained in aerosol. Keep these cans away from heat sources to prevent an explosion.

If your home has suffered damage from a house fire, give us a call at 503.619.6198. We are certified in fire and soot remediation, and here to help ²⁴⁄₇.