Fires are destructive forces of nature that no family should ever have to fear. Learning proper prevention tactics is the key to keeping your home safe from fires. Aside from installing a fire alarm system — which is essential — homeowners need to consider where potential fires are prone to breaking out.
Continue reading to learn how to prevent a severe fire in your home.
First, understand how and where they can start.
The Bathroom
Yes, fires can break out within the small confines of a bathroom. This is usually the room where harsh chemicals are kept, like bottles of hairspray and cleaning supplies. This can cause the fire to spread to the rest of the home in seconds, so you want to implement the following habits for your safety.
Bathroom fires start for a variety of reasons. In this first scenario, either you or a family member has left a hot styling tool plugged into the wall. These hot tools can get up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit in heat, so it’s imperative that you:
- turn the device off
- unplug it from the wall socket
Do this for straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers.
It’s easy to forget, but remember the consequences can be dire.
Another fire hazard located in your bathroom is the exhaust fan. Not the fan itself, but the built-up lint can cause the motor to catch fire. To kill this risk completely, make sure you’re cleaning the exhaust fan frequently.
The Kitchen
Never leave an open flame unattended. If you’re cooking, keep rags and towels away from the stove. Most importantly, try to avoid frying foods. This is the leading cause of kitchen fires.
The Backyard
Grills. Fireplaces. Firepits. All lovely things to have in your backyard. Especially if you’re keen on having friends and family over.
However fun these may be come summertime, these are also major fire hazards. If you live in a drier area, limit your use of these amenities.
And, of course, always make sure the fire has completely died out before going back inside.
Fire Prevention Vs Protection: A Fire Alarm System Is the Best Form of Protection
Like a commercial security system, a fire alarm system warns you of the danger lurking somewhere in the home. Advanced security protects homes from the 2.5 million burglaries that occur every year. But you are still prone to natural disasters. To reduce the risk of any and all threats, call a local security system company to set up these protective measures.
Following these tips can prevent fires. Fire alarm systems, however, protect you by alerting you as soon as there is smoke. You’ll know to evacuate the home and call for help right away.
Conclusion
Fires can cause thousands of dollars worth of property damage. A fire outbreak can also cost you something more important—your life.
There are two courses of action you can take when it comes to reducing the risk of fires in your home: prevention and protection. You can prevent fires by doing small things like cleaning the exhaust fan in the bathroom, or never leaving a flame unattended in the kitchen
You can also implement a protection plan and install a fire alarm system. Ultimately, implementing both prevention and protection tactics is the best way to keep your home safe from a fire outbreak.