Prepare & Plan for a House Fire - Advice from Fire Damage Repair Professionals

When it comes to hard circumstances, there few events as draining than a fire that sabotages your home and personal property. As a fire damage repair company, Paul Davis understands what a significant threat house fires are. Without a signal, all it takes is two minutes before a fire gets out of control. A fire in your home is a terrible and emotionally draining situation, even if it damages everything or not. But you can execute specific things to make sure that you are ready for when a fire occurs.

Prep Your Home for the Chance of a Fire & Have a Fire Escape Strategy Prepared at All Times

Safety has to be the first concern when preparing for a house fire, and fire extinguishers and smoke alarms need to be placed throughout the house. Smoke alarms are essential since a fire could spring out of nowhere and you have to do something as fast as possible. Another thing to consider with smoke alarms is obtaining ones that can catch smoke generated from electrical fires. Lastly, any kids residing in the house have to be instructed on what a smoke alarm sounds like when it's triggered and what to do when it happens. Come up with plans for emergency fire routes and make sure everybody is informed of them. There should be two exits from all rooms in the property. You'll also want to have a planned meeting area outside of the property so that you know everybody makes it out securely. It's also a good idea to create digital copies of important documents such as birth certificates, and you should think about getting a fire safety box to keep them in. Record all of your personal belongings too in case they are engulfed in flames. Either prepare a list or take pictures or videos to document your property.

Things to Keep in Mind to Lessen House Fire Risk

While some fires aren't avoidable, there are some things you can do to minimize the prospect of a fire from happening in your home:

  • Smoking: Inside smoking makes your property exposed to house fires, so the finest approach to prevent a disaster is to smoke outdoors. When you do smoke indoors, have the proper ashtrays to inhibit a cigarette or cigar from rolling onto the floor. But if somebody in the home is using oxygen, do not smoke indoors as oxygen is very combustible.
  • Children: Store any matches or lighters in an area that is out of sight and out of reach from kids to stop their curiosity from starting a fire. Explain to your kids that fire is not something to play with too.
  • Fireplaces: It's important to clean regularly and examine your fireplace for creosote and other damage. Get a screen for your fireplace that is strong and big enough to catch sparks and prevent logs from rolling.
  • Portable Heaters: Guarantee your heater has a thermostat and a control mechanism, and it needs to turn off if it falls over.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Monitor your light switches to see if they have to be replaced. When they're hot to the touch, that's a sign that they're damaged. Another thing you should do is check your electrical appliances for torn cords and broken plugs.
  • Cooking: It's crucial to be aware in the kitchen and to not ignore food being cooked unattended. Without exception have somebody there to monitor what's going on.

Reach Out to the Skillful Fire Damage Repair Professionals at Paul Davis

Immediately reach out to the expert fire damage restoration team at Paul Davis if your property has had a fire. Our skillful contractors can re-mediate any fire damage and get your residence back in good condition. For a Paul Davis franchise near you, give us a call at 888-473-7669.