Basic Fire Safety Tips For The Home
by Mark Fynn




One of the best forms of fire fighting is fire prevention. Taking steps to reduce the chances of a
fire starting in the first place. Many people unfortunately ignore the dangers of fire and it is not
until it is too late that they take action. In many unfortunate cases the action is taken too late to
prevent loss of lives and property.

There are various steps you can take when you consider fire prevention. It does not matter where
you live, apartment, house or a mobile home. Fires can start anywhere so you need to take steps
to ensure that you reduce the chances of a fire starting in your property.

If you do not have smoke alarms fitted in your home then you should buy some today and attach
them to the ceiling throughout the property. Ensure they are fitted inside sleeping areas and on
every level of the property. If you already have smoke alarms fitted then you need to check the
batteries at regular intervals. You can check the smoke alarm by pressing the red button so that
you can manually activate the alarm to check it is working. To enable you to remember to check
the smoke alarms in the future then why note make a note in your diary or circle a date on the
calendar. You could do a check every month, maybe on the last or first day.

Placing fire extinguishers on every floor is another good fire prevention step to take along with
one in the kitchen. Never buy a second hand fire extinguisher because it may be faulty. If you buy
new from a registered stockiest then you will know it will be working fine and has passed all the
safety checks.

A fire blanket in the kitchen is another good idea. If you place it near the doorway it can be used
quite quickly and will provide you with a easy exit should the fire get out of control. Avoid using
common towels and cloths if I fire starts in the kitchen. This can make the fire spread and may
also endanger you. It is always best to use equipment that was made for the specific job. Fire
blankets are this equipment because they are made from fire retardant material that will smother
the fire, starving it of oxygen so it ill be extinguished quickly.

Electrical fires are very common and generally start by faulty wiring or overloading the sockets
with a multitude of plugs. Check wiring that may be exposed or may run under carpets. This is
one of the common problems as wiring gets damaged due to people walking on top of the carpet.
Avoid having too many electrical plus connected to one socket. Use a more powerful 5 or 6 gang
socket strip that can cope with the extra load.

If you have fuses that tend to trip quite often many people make the big mistake in thinking that
their fuses are not powerful enough so they change them to larger ones. This is a big mistake that
can cause fires. The fuses are there for a reason and will trip once excess power is being used so as
to prevent fires. Try spreading the electric you use around the home on different electrical
circuits. Water heaters can be turned on throughout the night.

If you have children in the home then you need to ensure that you have guards covering any real
fires or gas heaters. Check that any matches or lighters are locked away from any curious child.
You can buy child resistant lighters if security is a problem.

If you have mobile heaters then ensure that you have a space around the heater of approximately
1-metre. Avoid placing heaters close to curtains, clothing or furniture. Make sure the heater is
stable just in case an inquisitive child comes along. Make sure the heaters are switched off when
you leave the room for long periods.

Never keep flammable liquids inside the home. They should be kept outside in secure containers.
Many people use common petrol for cleaning specific things and have the container inside the
home. This is a big mistake so take anything flammable outside.

Ensure your house perimeter is free from excessive garden growth and rubbish that may be a fire
hazard when dry. Check the gutters and drains of the house to see that they are not full of leaves.
This is a common problem in Autumn.

You should always have pre-planned escape routes in case of fire. You should make your family
aware of the routes by practicing them on a regular basis. When a fire starts you and your family
will know the steps to take that will be the quickest way to get them to safety. The escape routes
will need to be planned so that they can be implemented from all parts of the house.

If you take the necessary steps to prevent fires starting in the first place it reduces the risk and
dangers significantly. It is just a matter of taking action and putting a little time aside to consider
the worst thing that can happen and to take precautions accordingly. Doing this will not just
protect your property and valuables it will also save the lives of you and your family.



Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com