A Fire Safe Home
Every year year, there are hundreds of fire-related deaths throughout the USA. A big percentage of those that die in home fires are children, with the highest concentration of these awful happenings occurring for the duration of the home heating months. One of the most painful things about home fire deaths is that far too many are avoidable.
The best way to prepare for a fire-related disaster is to take the needed steps to avoid a home fire. Important aspects of preparing to prevent fire in the first place consist of home maintenance, careful use of items capable of causing a fire, teaching children about the threat of fire and being vigilant in chaperoning or preventing their use of items or equipment that could start a fire.
Normal home maintenance can play a integral role in preventing fires. Having heating systems cleaned and inspected yearly by professionals is a good plan, as is not postponing the fixing of electrical problems. Making sure to keep areas around furnaces and stoves clear of flammable debris or risky household items will increase the likelihood of avoiding a fire. When it comes to such heat-generating items as space heaters and irons, make sure to use them with caution.
Space heaters are a common cause of house fires and should never be close enough to curtains or blankets to ignite them. Three or four feet away is a good rule of thumb. The cord should be in good condition and suitably placed, meaning not beneath a rug or in a walkway where you can trip over it. If feasible, a space heater plug should have a separate outlet. You should regularly check it to see if it is getting hot.
Like space heaters, candles are an additional source of fires at home. Do not burn unattended candles. Even the ones in glass are not recommended to leave alone, as the glass can fracture from the high temperature of an improperly centered wick and cause a fire. Use curling irons, clothing irons and other household items that can ignite a fire with care.
Children need to understand that playing with fire can result in severe injury, even death, not just for themselves and their family, but also for people in neighboring homes. In addition to keeping matches and lighters out of their grasp, supervise children in the kitchen and around the stove. Do not permit children to use the stove or oven without direction until they are tall enough and responsible enough to do so properly.
Occasionally, in spite of our best efforts, mistakes and mishaps do occur, and there is a fire. Having a thoughtful plan is the best groundwork in the event of a home fire-related emergency. The foundation of the plan is the line of action that household members will take when the smoke detectors go off or a fire is evident.
Formulate an exit strategy and a gathering place. Practice an exit plan for children so regularly that they remember the information. They should be knowledgeable of the basics-keep close to the floor for oxygen, touch a door for heat before opening, how to get out of a window if the door cannot be used, etc. Describe how windows can be broken on the occasion of an emergency and that laying a blanket on top of the broken glass can prevent injury. For second floor windows, a fire escape ladder is economical to install. Stop, drop, and roll is also an important concept to teach, in case clothing is set on fire while escaping the building.
Select a meeting spot that is a secure distance away from your home. It is a good idea to have a backup spot in mind, in the event that a fire spreads all over a city block, making the first spot unsafe. Train children to remain at the meeting spot until parents or officials arrive for them. As difficult as it may be, children must be made to understand to leave pets for parents or fire crew to save. Keeping irreplaceable items, such as family photos, or difficult-to-replace personal papers in a fireproof box can help decrease the temptation for adults to linger too long or go back into a burning home.
While prevention is the best means of preparation, the reality remains that residential fires do occur. Preparing for such events can help lessen the chance of property loss being coupled by something much more tragic-serious injury or death. Take steps today to make sure that you and your family are prepared to deal with a home fire-related emergency.
The best way to prepare for a fire-related disaster is to take the needed steps to avoid a home fire. Important aspects of preparing to prevent fire in the first place consist of home maintenance, careful use of items capable of causing a fire, teaching children about the threat of fire and being vigilant in chaperoning or preventing their use of items or equipment that could start a fire.
Normal home maintenance can play a integral role in preventing fires. Having heating systems cleaned and inspected yearly by professionals is a good plan, as is not postponing the fixing of electrical problems. Making sure to keep areas around furnaces and stoves clear of flammable debris or risky household items will increase the likelihood of avoiding a fire. When it comes to such heat-generating items as space heaters and irons, make sure to use them with caution.
Space heaters are a common cause of house fires and should never be close enough to curtains or blankets to ignite them. Three or four feet away is a good rule of thumb. The cord should be in good condition and suitably placed, meaning not beneath a rug or in a walkway where you can trip over it. If feasible, a space heater plug should have a separate outlet. You should regularly check it to see if it is getting hot.
Like space heaters, candles are an additional source of fires at home. Do not burn unattended candles. Even the ones in glass are not recommended to leave alone, as the glass can fracture from the high temperature of an improperly centered wick and cause a fire. Use curling irons, clothing irons and other household items that can ignite a fire with care.
Children need to understand that playing with fire can result in severe injury, even death, not just for themselves and their family, but also for people in neighboring homes. In addition to keeping matches and lighters out of their grasp, supervise children in the kitchen and around the stove. Do not permit children to use the stove or oven without direction until they are tall enough and responsible enough to do so properly.
Occasionally, in spite of our best efforts, mistakes and mishaps do occur, and there is a fire. Having a thoughtful plan is the best groundwork in the event of a home fire-related emergency. The foundation of the plan is the line of action that household members will take when the smoke detectors go off or a fire is evident.
Formulate an exit strategy and a gathering place. Practice an exit plan for children so regularly that they remember the information. They should be knowledgeable of the basics-keep close to the floor for oxygen, touch a door for heat before opening, how to get out of a window if the door cannot be used, etc. Describe how windows can be broken on the occasion of an emergency and that laying a blanket on top of the broken glass can prevent injury. For second floor windows, a fire escape ladder is economical to install. Stop, drop, and roll is also an important concept to teach, in case clothing is set on fire while escaping the building.
Select a meeting spot that is a secure distance away from your home. It is a good idea to have a backup spot in mind, in the event that a fire spreads all over a city block, making the first spot unsafe. Train children to remain at the meeting spot until parents or officials arrive for them. As difficult as it may be, children must be made to understand to leave pets for parents or fire crew to save. Keeping irreplaceable items, such as family photos, or difficult-to-replace personal papers in a fireproof box can help decrease the temptation for adults to linger too long or go back into a burning home.
While prevention is the best means of preparation, the reality remains that residential fires do occur. Preparing for such events can help lessen the chance of property loss being coupled by something much more tragic-serious injury or death. Take steps today to make sure that you and your family are prepared to deal with a home fire-related emergency.
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