In the Scenario of a Fire – Plan Ahead and Prepare

The fire damage repair professionals at Paul Davis understand how damaging house fires can be. Not only can house fires decimate your residence and personal belongings, but they are emotionally unsettling and make you feel unsafe. Fires can happen in a matter of minutes and can be provoked by a number of things, and they can be out of your control such as natural disasters or your neighbor’s house being on fire. But there are a few precautions you can take to lessen the risk of a house fire in your residence.

Fire Preparation – Emergency Plans & Recovery

When it comes to home fires, not all of them are can be in control and can’t be stopped. That is why it’s integral to have safety strategies ready. Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are a must, and make sure you have the proper amount to accommodate your property. But you should think about installing smoke alarms that can detect smoke from electrical fires, because defective wiring can be a cause of house fires. When you have children, you’ll want to train them on what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when one goes off.

Implement fire escape routes and make sure everyone is attentive of them. Always have two exits out of all rooms in the home. You’ll also need to have a designated meeting location outside of the home so that you know everyone gets out securely.

Making a record of your personal property is an excellent idea for insurance purposes in case all your property is demolished by the flames. You’ll also want to keep valuable documents such as passports and birth certificates in a strong box, and you can make digital copies and upload them to a cloud drive for back ups.

To Lessen the Dangers of Home Fires Perform These Measures

Despite the fact that some fires are out of your control, there are some precautions you should take to prevent a house fire:

  • Fireplaces: Having a proper screen for your fireplace is integral for the safety of your home and everyone in it. Make sure it’s sturdy enough to catch sparks and rolling logs. Also, you need to clean and maintain your fireplace consistently to remove the immensely flammable creosote that builds up.
  • Portable Heaters: It is of the utmost importance to keep any combustible or flammable items at least three feet from a portable heater. {Additionally,} you will need your portable heater to have a control mechanism too and other features for safety such as shutting off if it falls over.
  • Smoking: Smoking outside is the best way to counter a house fire from happening. It’s crucial to not smoke indoors if someone in the house is using oxygen because it is highly combustible. When you smoke indoors, don’t smoke while drowsy or in bed and have ashtrays that are deep.
  • Children: Train your kids that fire is not a toy, and make sure to keep your matches and lighters in an area that is out of reach and out of sight.
  • Cooking: Remain in the area at all times during the time you’re cooking and don’t leave it alone. When you have to step out of the area, get someone to watch over the food until you come back.
  • Appliances and Electrical: Monitor your light switches to see if they have to be changed out. When they’re hot to the touch, that’s a clue that they’re defective. Another thing you should do is check your appliances for worn out cords and broken plugs.

Call the Fire Damage Repair Contractors at Paul Davis

When you experience a house fire, don’t hesitate to reach out to Paul Davis. Our professional team has the knowledge you need with fire damage restoration services and we can have your house back to a livable condition. Get in touch with Paul at 888-473-7669 and a local franchise near you will be ready to help.