The Long Island fires last September had residents fearing for their own safety. The fire destroyed 6 businesses while dealing enough damage to render another 4 inoperable. The fire’s accidental nature was particularly chilling, sending a clear message it could happen to anyone. While fires are more common in businesses and commercial establishments, households are still affected. Close to half a million residential fires occur every year in the US. You don’t want your house and family to be part of that statistic.
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Install Smoke Alarms
Unattended and undetected fires are the most dangerous. Smoke can immediately hamper vision and mobility as well as to incapacitate because of a lack of oxygen. Install smoke alarms in every room and make sure to regularly test if they’re still working at least once a month. The kitchen is where most fires start, so never disable your smoke detectors no matter how irritating they get. If you are often away from your home or have mobility issues, it might be prudent to opt for alarms that link directly to emergency services for quicker response.
Ready Fire Extinguishers
Stopping a fire in its tracks requires quick thinking and the right equipment. A fire extinguisher or two in your house should help you minimize or limit fire damage, saving you tons of money in repairs and restoration. A couple of 5-pound extinguishers should be enough to keep your home safe as long as you detect what’s happening. Most fires in your house would be electrical or cooking-related, so opt for CO2 extinguishers. They control most types of fires while doing the least amount of damage to your home.
Switch to a Gas Furnace
Thousands of fires have been sparked by wayward embers drifting into curtains or some other flammable material. Traditional fireplaces are known as fire hazards that require strict supervision to maintain safety. Switch to a gas-powered furnace for your fireplace. They produce close to zero emissions and absolutely no particulates that can fly off into the air. Once installed, they are cheaper to operate. They require minimal supervision and can be turned off with a flick of a switch.
Prepare for the Worst
Even with the best safety measures in place, the unthinkable can still happen. Teach your family about fire safety, especially how to leave particular rooms and call emergency services. Help them identify the sound of smoke alarms and how to respond to the situation with drills every few months or until they lock down the practice. Sometimes injuries are unavoidable, so make sure they learn how to stop, drop, and roll. Panic is your worst enemy in a fire and ensuring your kids have an ingrained memory of what to do can be enough to save their lives.
Overall, certain measures and practices can lower the risk of fires in your house or minimize the damage it causes. Fire safety is essential, so make sure your family knows how to avoid, suppress, or get away from fries in the house.
