Fire Prevention Safety Tips

Published: August 7, 2019

A fire in your home is a terrifying thought. No one wants to deal with the tragedy of a home fire and the damage that comes along with it, but luckily there are a number of easy steps that we can all take to prevent a fire. Fire restoration can be a costly service, so make sure to prevent the need for it with the following tips.

Tips for Cooking

  • Always stay in the kitchen when you are cooking any type of food. Even if you plan to leave for just a quick moment, always turn the stove off.
  • Teach children to stay far away from cooking areas. Enforce a “kid-free zone” of about 3-feet from the stove.
  • Always wear close-fitting clothes while you are cooking to prevent catching your garments on fire. Roll up long sleeves.
  • Keep your barbecue grill at least 10-feet from deck railings and siding. Always position it away from overhanging tree branches and under eaves.

Tips for Smoking

  • Always smoke outside and make sure your cigarette butts are soaked in water before you throw them into a trash can.
  • If anyone uses an oxygen tank in your home, never smoke inside. Oxygen tanks are explosive.
  • Never smoke in bed.
  • Refrain from smoking if you are taking medication that makes you tired or if you have been drinking alcohol.

Tips for Electrical and Appliance Safety

  • A frayed wire can easily cause a fire. Replace any worn or damaged appliance cords as soon as you notice the problem. Never run cords under your furniture or rugs.
  • If your light switch is too hot to touch or causes your light bulbs to flicker, shut them off and hire a professional replace them immediately.
  • Never force a three-prong plug into a two-prong outlet. Use an extension cord if you must.

Tips for Portable Space Heaters

  • Before purchasing, check to make sure your space heater has been evaluated by a laboratory that is nationally recognized, such as Underwriters Laboratories.
  • Only use space heaters that have a thermostat control mechanism. They should shut off automatically if the heater gets knocked over.
  • Keep all combustible items three feet or more from the space heater.
  • If your space heater runs on kerosene, only fill it with crystal clear K-1 kerosene. Make sure it is not overfilled and use only in a room with good ventilation.

Tips for Fireplaces and Woodstoves

  • Always make sure the fire is out before retiring for the night.
  • Your fireplace screen should be heavy enough that it will stop rolling logs from spilling out.
  • Check your fireplace monthly for any obstructions or damage. Clean and inspect your woodstove pipes and chimneys once a year.

Tips for Children

  • Make sure all lighters and matches are out of the reach of children.
  • Teach them that fire isn’t a toy
  • Never leave a child unattended near a burning candle or a stove that is on.

If you need help due to fire damage, give us a call. We provide fire restoration services to homes and businesses suffering from fire damage.

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