Fire Safety at Home

2/19/2018 (Permalink)

Many fires start in the kitchen. It's smart to keep a fire extinguisher easily accessible nearby.

Fires can be very frightening – they are scary, spread quickly and can cause devastating losses.  While we cannot completely fire-proof our homes, there are a few steps you can take to help protect your family in the event of a fire.

• Install and regularly test smoke detectors. Statistics show that working smoke detectors reduce the risk of death in a house fire almost in half! Fires spread quickly, and once that alarm sounds, you may only have a minute or two to escape.
• Practice Fire Drills at home. Since time is of the utmost importance during a fire, it is best to KNOW what do in the event of a fire.  What is the best escape route? Where does the family meet up outside?  In order to respond quickly, it is best to have a rehearsed plan ahead of time.
• Have fire extinguishers handy & know how to use them.  Keep them in an easy access location near a likely source of fire – in the kitchen, the laundry room, etc.  And maybe buy a few extra and have your children practice using them (probably best to do OUTSIDE).
• Childproof your kitchen. To keep small children from accidentally turning on the stove, which may having something on it that could burn.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children. And teach your children they are not toys.

While no one wants to imagine what they would do in the event of a fire, it is better to be prepared, and have a plan to help keep your family as safe as possible.  And if you do experience a fire, do not hesitate to call your Fire Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO.  We are here to help. We can take care of your home, so you can take care of your family.