Tips for Homeowners for Fire Safety Month

Since 1922, the National Fire Prevention Association has designated October as?Fire Prevention Month?(Fire Prevention Week is October 3rd – 9th) to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The goal of this campaign is to raise fire safety awareness, share tips for homeowners for fire prevention month, and help ensure your home and family are protected. As the “Paramedics of Property Damage,” we know a thing or two about fires and how to prevent them before they lead to costly damage.

Basic fire prevention begins at home.?From here in Northeast Ohio to no matter where you live in the world, there are simple steps that can be taken to help reduce the risks of accidental fires. Did you know that the kitchen is where most house fires start? Obviously, stoves, microwaves, and ovens use high temperatures for cooking, but also many of the ingredients we regularly use, like grease and oil, are flammable.

When in the kitchen, never leave the oven or stove unattended when cooking. Stay alert and focused, and turn off the cooking appliance if you must leave the kitchen. Carelessness is a common cause of fire emergencies in kitchens. Avoid wearing loose clothes and roll up your sleeves when cooking. You can also remove stove knobs when not in use, so curious pets or kids don’t accidentally turn them on and start a fire.

Another great tool?in house fire prevention is circuit breakers. Circuit breakers are essential devices designed to prevent electrical fires and shocks in your home. Newer homes have been built standard with circuit breakers. They provide more safety than fuses when installed with modern electrical systems. They are engineered to help keep you and your property safe from electrical hazards that were previously undetectable. A circuit breaker shuts off power when it detects an issue on a circuit that may lead to an electrical fire or shock.

Unfortunately, fires cannot always be stopped before they begin. That is why it is important to have the tools at your disposal to most effectively handle this disaster.?The first and foremost priority is the safety of those in the home. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are crucial pieces of equipment that alert everyone in a building of imminent smoke and fire dangers.

Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors?outside of every sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. If possible, interconnect all of the alarms so when one is activated, all of the other alarms will also be activated. Test alarms monthly by pushing the test button and change the batteries twice a year (we recommend doing this when Daylight Saving Time starts and ends.) Replace all smoke alarms when they reach 10 years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly. Everyone in the home must recognize the sound of the smoke alarm and understand what to do when they hear it.

One of the most effective ways for homeowners and their families to stay safe in the event of a fire is to?develop a fire escape plan.?The first step should be to establish two escape routes from each bedroom. Then, designate a meeting spot outside the home. Ensure that all family members know how to contact each other in case of an emergency. Every household member should learn the ‘stop, drop, and roll’ technique in case their clothes catch fire. Finally, all plans work best when they are practiced!

The effects of a fire can still linger long after it is extinguished, and everyone’s immediate safety is assured. Homeowners should contact their insurance company and file a claim immediately. To help the process, take an inventory of all of the losses suffered and share this with the insurance agents.

The next step to take is to hire a reputable restoration company, like?PuroClean,?to thoroughly remediate the fire and smoke damage that continues to affect the property. You should look for a remediation provider that is trusted by the insurance companies, performs pack-out and board-up services, and is certified in all manner of fire damage mitigation techniques. They will help navigate the process and bring some peace of mind to help mitigate a potentially overwhelming situation. We are available in NE Ohio 24/7 at (440)653-8222.