There are certain things that are unpleasant to think about. People don't want to dwell on negative things, and that's perfectly reasonable. But sometimes, it's necessary to give proper thought to potentially disastrous scenarios in order to prevent them from becoming real. Fire safety is often one such issue. A normal person doesn't want to picture their home burning down, or their family getting hurt. But sadly, some people don't put enough thought into fire safety until it's too late. A reasonable amount of planning could prevent disaster in the future.
Every year, over a thousand people die from fires or related causes. The saddest part is that many of these deaths could be avoided through proper planning and precautions. One of the best ways to create preparedness is to have a set route in mind that will make it easier to escape during a fire. Make sure you plan the route with everyone in the house, so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. Most fire escape routes involve having a path through the furniture and potential tripping hazards. For the upper floors of the house, having a portable ladder easily accessible can provide a quick path to ground level if the stairs become unusable. Once it's all planned out, have it practiced a few times. Once everyone knows how they're going to get out of the house, plan where you are all going to meet up, such a neighbor's home or other nearby, easy-to-find area.
The safety of your family should be the top priority, of course, but you don't want to lose your home and everything in if you don't have to. To help with that, you might want to make notes of the fire prevention systems already in place. Fire alarms in each main area are a must, but there are other systems that can be installed to help stop a fire before it gets out of hand. A sprinkler system that can detect and snuff out fires is actually relatively inexpensive to have retrofitted into most homes. Many news homes are built with them, or at least have the option.
One of the most important fire-safety measures to have in your home is a reliable fire extinguisher. If small blazes ignite, they can be quickly snuffed out without much collateral damage. At least one unit on each floor is recommended, placed where it can be accessed quickly in an emergency. Many people like to have them in or near the kitchen, in the case of a cooking accident igniting a small blaze.
As for minimizing the causes of fires in the first place, there are precautions that can be taken. Candles are one of the leading causes of house fires. If you choose to light candles in your home, be sure to never leave them unattended, or where they can be knocked over by children or pets. Before lighting them, make sure the wick is cut to the proper size (about a quarter inch).
As a last tip, be sure that flammable chemicals are stored properly. Be sure to follow the directions on the labels, such as the storage temperature limit, and make sure the containers are not cracked or leaking.
While it's not always easy to take proper fire safety measures, you will never regret the extra security it brings to you and your family.
Every year, over a thousand people die from fires or related causes. The saddest part is that many of these deaths could be avoided through proper planning and precautions. One of the best ways to create preparedness is to have a set route in mind that will make it easier to escape during a fire. Make sure you plan the route with everyone in the house, so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. Most fire escape routes involve having a path through the furniture and potential tripping hazards. For the upper floors of the house, having a portable ladder easily accessible can provide a quick path to ground level if the stairs become unusable. Once it's all planned out, have it practiced a few times. Once everyone knows how they're going to get out of the house, plan where you are all going to meet up, such a neighbor's home or other nearby, easy-to-find area.
The safety of your family should be the top priority, of course, but you don't want to lose your home and everything in if you don't have to. To help with that, you might want to make notes of the fire prevention systems already in place. Fire alarms in each main area are a must, but there are other systems that can be installed to help stop a fire before it gets out of hand. A sprinkler system that can detect and snuff out fires is actually relatively inexpensive to have retrofitted into most homes. Many news homes are built with them, or at least have the option.
One of the most important fire-safety measures to have in your home is a reliable fire extinguisher. If small blazes ignite, they can be quickly snuffed out without much collateral damage. At least one unit on each floor is recommended, placed where it can be accessed quickly in an emergency. Many people like to have them in or near the kitchen, in the case of a cooking accident igniting a small blaze.
As for minimizing the causes of fires in the first place, there are precautions that can be taken. Candles are one of the leading causes of house fires. If you choose to light candles in your home, be sure to never leave them unattended, or where they can be knocked over by children or pets. Before lighting them, make sure the wick is cut to the proper size (about a quarter inch).
As a last tip, be sure that flammable chemicals are stored properly. Be sure to follow the directions on the labels, such as the storage temperature limit, and make sure the containers are not cracked or leaking.
While it's not always easy to take proper fire safety measures, you will never regret the extra security it brings to you and your family.
About the Author:
Knowing that your family and home is safe can help you rest easy at night, especially when you have the home you'd always dreamed of. Timbercraft Homes builds new homes in Oklahoma City, and would love to put you in the home of your dreams.
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