Fire Damage Repair Expert Advice – Preparing for a House Fire

As far as detrimental disasters go there are few things as stunning as a fire that damages your property and personal belongings. A fire in your house is a distressing and an emotionally exhausting event, whether it consumes everything or not. But there are some measures you can take to decrease the likelihood of a fire from happening in your house. The fire damage repair team from Paul Davis understands the severe situation of home fires and that’s why it’s essential to know how to prepare your house and what to do when a fire occurs.

Process and Practice an Emergency Plan for Your House

All home fires aren’t stoppable and there’s only so much you can do. That’s why the most effective thing you can do is have safety strategies ready. Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms are necessary, and make sure you have the proper amount to suit your property. But you should consider installing smoke alarms that can catch smoke from electrical fires, since faulty wiring can be a cause of home fires. When there are kids in the house, you’ll want to train them on how the smoke alarm sounds and what to do when one goes off.

Some other precautions include outlining fire escape routes in your house. Design a plan and make sure everyone in the home knows the emergency fire escape routes – there should be two exits for every room in the house. It’s also crucial to have a planned meeting spot outside so you know who gets out of the home.

Taking inventory of your personal possessions is an excellent idea for insurance purposes in case all your stuff is demolished by the flames. Additionally, you’ll want to keep important items like passports and birth certificates in a strong box, and you can make digital replicas and upload them to a cloud drive for added measure.

Things to Keep in Mind to Minimize House Fire Risk

Despite the fact that some fires are uncontrollable, there are some steps you need to take to avoid a home fire:

  • Cooking: The kitchen is one of the most common spots for a fire to occur. It’s important to pay attention to what’s in the oven or on the stove, and when you have to leave, have someone keep an eye on it until you return.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Shredded cords and broken plugs could easily produce a home fire, so make sure to examine your appliances regularly for any problems. Also, keep an eye on your light switches since if they’re hot, they have to be changed.
  • Portable Heaters: Not under any circumstance should you allow a space heater neglected, and keep flammable objects three feet away from the heater. It’s also imperative for your heater to have the correct features for safety. For instance, the heater shuts off when it tips over.
  • Fireplaces: Obtaining a legitimate fireplace screen is integral for the safety of your house and everyone in it. Make sure it is strong enough to stop rolling logs and sparks. Additionally, you need to clean and maintain your fireplace and chimney routinely to clear away the immensely flammable creosote that builds up.
  • Children: Store any lighters or matches in a place that is out of sight and out of reach from kids to prevent their curiosity from starting a fire. Educate your kids that fire is not a toy as well.
  • Smoking: Outdoor smoking is the finest method to prevent a home fire from happening. Don’t smoke indoors if someone in the home is on oxygen since oxygen is highly combustible. When you smoke indoors, don’t smoke while drowsy or in bed and have ashtrays with tall walls.

Contact the Experienced Fire Damage Restoration Contractors at Paul Davis

Immediately call the expert fire damage repair team at Paul Davis if your house has had a fire. Our expert contractors can re-mediate any fire damage and get your house back in good condition. For a Paul Davis franchise near you, call us at 888-473-7669.