Over 350,000 house fires occur every year. Most fires happen due to accidents or natural occurrences. Unfortunately, fires can harm not only your belongings but you, your family and pets as well. We hope that you never have to experience a fire on your property, but if you do, we made this home survival guide on fire safety for you to follow.
Install Smoke Alarms
The first thing you need to do when you move into a new home is to install smoke and fire alarms and detectors in every room of your house. You can find these alarms online or in-stores. Also, make sure to pick up the batteries needed to power them. If you need help installing or checking them, we can help you.
Test Alarms Monthly
You do not want faulty alarms to be the reason why you did not know about a fire right away. That is why you need to test your fire alarms at least once a month. You do not need to start a fire or create smoke. All you need to do is to check the power. Most alarms come with a test button that you should check as well. If you notice that the alarm is not working, either replace the batteries or the alarm.
Create a Fire Escape Plan
No matter where you live, you need to have a fire escape plan that you go over with everyone residing in the home. While creating your strategy, you are going to want to have at least two or more ways to escape. Fires are unpredictable, so the more you plan, the more prepared you will be. To make things easier, map out the trails and go over it with your family. Make sure to practice these plans a few times a year, especially if you have small children.
Keep Important Documents and Valuable in Fireproof Safe
Thanks to technology, there are now fireproof bags and safes where you can store important documents and valuables. Items like passports, birth certificates, social security cards, photos and personal jewelry or inheritances should be in these bags or safes. You can find these safes or bags online.
Make Digital Copies of Important Documents
In cases where you do not have access to a fireproof safe, you need to make digital copies of all your important documents. You will want copies of passports, social security cards, birth certificates and other important documents you have. Once you make these copies, it is best to store them digitally in a safe location where you have to input a username and password to get a hold of the information.
Install Automatic Water Sprinklers
You may only associate automatic water sprinklers inside office buildings and businesses, but you can also install these in your property. While these can cause water damage once turned on, they can easily put out a fire quickly. If water damage is your concern, you can install waterproof flooring to ensure the longevity of your floor.
Know What To Do If There Is a Fire
If you are unable to get out of your home, then you need to know what to do if there is a fire. Sometimes a fire escape plan is not enough, especially if flames engulf your exit trails. At this point, you will need to think quickly and smartly if you want to stay safe. For more information on how to protect yourself from fire, check out this guide. You can also call your local fire department to learn more information or get questions answered.
By following this guide, we hope that you can keep you, your family, animals and home safe during a house fire. And if your home does incur any damages from any disasters, we are here to help. Contact Valor Home Services for more information.
