Fire-related incidents are quite common across the US. According to National statistics from 2016, there were a total of 1,342,000 fires reported that caused 14650 civilian injuries, $10.6 billion in financial and property damages and a loss of 3390 lives. Knowing about fire safety and prevention techniques is crucial so you can ward off the occurrence of such disastrous events or at least be well prepared to tackle such a situation when it does occur. Below are some of the simplest steps that you can take to ensure fire safety and prevention.
Some Useful Habits to Develop
It’s sad to see just how many fire accidents have taken place due to negligence. Therefore, just developing some cautious habits and being prudent can go a long way.
- Put that cigarette away when you’re in bed or when you’re feeling sleepy. Make it a habit to smoke outdoors only. In 24% of home fire fatalities, smoking material has been the culprit.
- Never leave the portable heater on while sleeping or when you’re leaving the room. Almost one-fourth of home fire fatalities have been associated with heating equipment.
- Cooking material has caused the most home fire injuries, so be careful with them. Never leave the stove unattended.
- Keep an eye on the children, especially those under the age of five. Hide all the lighters and matches away from the sight of these curious little beings.
Be Prepared for the Situation
Being prepared will involve being well equipped with the knowledge as well as the equipment to navigate through such a difficult situation.
Install a Smoke Alarm
First of all, you should know your smoke alarms. There are two kinds of smoke alarms out there. One is ionization based, and the other is photoelectric. Photoelectric smoke alarms best respond to smoldering fires while the ionization ones work best for flaming fires. The National Fire Protection Association recommends installing both types of alarms or components that incorporate both technologies and are sensitive to both kinds of fires. Install one smoke alarm inside every sleeping area.
Know the Drill
You should know your safest and quickest way out in case of any such emergency. Plan a fire safety drill and practice it with your entire household. Also, if you’re in a hotel or any other temporary accommodation, observing and being cognizant of the best emergency exit can be a lifesaver for you. So make it a practice to observe such exit routes in every new place on your way in.
Keep a Small Fire Extinguisher
It doesn’t cost much but can come in extremely handy. $25 is all a C class fire extinguisher will cost you. Keep one in the kitchen and teach the people in your house what to do with it when a situation arises.
To sum up, adopting a few cautious habits and being equipped with the knowledge and the necessary equipment can be extremely useful and potentially lifesaving when it comes to fire safety and prevention. However, if your residential or commercial property in Fort Worth, Texas, is ever exposed to fire damage, STOP is just a call away. Call 682-703-0213 and acquire our professional fire damage restoration services in no time.
