If we had to list the worst possible potential scenarios in our life, a house fire would be on the list. They are destructive, cause serious damage to our homes, and can cost a lot of money to repair the damages.
It’s essential for every homeowner to know how to prevent a house fire from breaking out.
Safety Tips to Prevent House Fires
Whilst accidents do happen, there are a lot of things you can do to make sure you are keeping your home protected to stop any house fires.
Here are some of the best things you can do to keep yourself and your family safe.
Check Your Household Appliances
Appliances such as oven hobs and your prized washing machine are the top two appliances that have the potential to cause a fire. Given the fact we cook in the kitchen, this is the main place for a fire to break out.
The kitchen requires more vigilance from you to ensure that your appliances are in top working order. Damaged oven wiring or faulty washing machines can easily start a house fire.
When performing any cooking on your hob, ensure that there are no flammable items surrounding it. This could be curtains, clothing, or even the trusty tea towel.
More importantly, don’t ever leave your hob or oven on unsupervised. It’s extremely easy to get distracted by what is on the TV and forget you have something cooking in the oven.
Be sure to keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen in case of grease-related fires.
In The Event of a Grease Fire
Being quick, being efficient at handling a fire gives it no time to evolve into something unmanageable.
Firstly, cover up the fire with a sturdy metal lid and turn off the hob. Believe it or not, baking soda or salt can put out a small cooking fire by smothering the flames.
Don’t use water to put out the fire as this is very dangerous around electrical appliances.
If the fire is too large, don’t take the risk, call 999 and allow the emergency services to handle it. If you can’t put out the fire yourself, make sure you and your family are well away from the property.
Review Your Smoke Detectors
A working smoke alarm is the most important device in your home. Don’t just have one either, have at least one downstairs and one upstairs for maximum protection.
A fully functional smoke alarm allows you to locate the source before it becomes a house fire and gets out of hand. Ensure all smoke alarms are in top condition as this is how to stop a house fire.
Be vigilant and check your smoke alarms every month. Don’t allow the batteries to run flat as this will prevent them from operating. Checking your smoke alarms once a month allows you and your family to stay in control.
It takes as little as 5 minutes to test them, and it will protect your home in an emergency.
Measure Carbon Monoxide Levels
Carbon monoxide is something we don’t really think about, when we think of a house fire, we think of smoke and fire. Carbon monoxide is a colourless gas and is completely odourless. It is released from burning carbon materials like fuel.
Materials such as wood and gasoline all release carbon monoxide when burnt. Incorrectly using your appliances to cook will increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Investing in a multi-purpose carbon monoxide and smoke detector that senses heat, smoke, and carbon fumes will protect your home.
Have Good Habits
Being thorough and checking all appliances around the home and your smoke detectors, is going to give you the best form of protection. Not doing so, puts you and your family at risk of a house fire.
Don’t Give Fires the Chance to Spread
Closing bedroom doors prevent a fire from quickly getting out of control and spreading. If a fire breaks out and you are asleep, having your bedroom doors closed puts up a barrier to giving you time to get to safety.
Smoke Safely in Your Home
If you are a smoker, make sure you are doing this as safely as possible. Make sure cigarettes are disposed of in the correct manner by using ashtrays and make sure they are fully out.
Be Prepared
You know your own home better than anyone. Be sure to know your escape routes in the event of a fire.
Whilst it may sound like a strange practice. Revising a plan with your family in the event of a fire could save their life. Have them act out the escape plan to ensure they are fully aware of how to get out safely.
For more support on your fire alarm, call us on 01604 760600 or get in contact by filling in this form.
