Prevent a Fire in Your Home
Thousands of homes are damaged or destroyed every year due to house fires. Preparation is key to preventing property damage and injury. These fire safety tips will help you keep your family out of harm’s way.
Don’t Smoke Indoors
One of the most basic fire safety tips is never to smoke indoors. Smoking is a common cause of house fires. Make a place outdoors with ashtrays for smokers so they won’t throw cigarette butts on the ground.
Fire Safety Tips for Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are a critical tool, providing early warning in case of a fire. The alarm gives you an alert to evacuate before the fire spreads. Keep your home safe by setting a reminder to change the batteries in your fire alarms twice a year. If an alarm is chirping, this indicates a low battery. Always have batteries on hand to replace them.
Make sure your home has an adequate number of smoke detectors. Install at least one on each floor and a device in every bedroom.
Careful Use of Space Heaters
Use space heaters safely. Keep heaters at least three feet away from anything flammable, including furniture, cushions, and draperies. Turn off these appliances when you are leaving the room or going to sleep. Purchase a space heater with a thermostat function that will power on only when the temperature drops, instead of running constantly.
Have a Plan in Case of a Fire
Plan how to evacuate the house safely and efficiently. Set a meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone can go if a fire occurs. Teach family members how to react during a fire. Stay calm, crawl to stay below the smoke, and check the doorknobs with the back of your hand before opening the door.
Fire Safety Tips for Outdoors
Even though fire pits are outside your home, they are still part of your property and could lead to a house fire. Keep your fire pit at least 15 feet away from the house. Don’t build a fire on a covered porch, enclosed patio, or beneath an awning. Any time you’re enjoying a fire, keep a shovel nearby and the garden hose or a bucket of water for putting out the flames if they start to get out of control.
Seahorse Home Inspections offers inspection services in St. Lucie County and the surrounding areas. Contact us to request our services.