Over 365,000 fires, 2,650 civilian deaths, and $7 billion worth of property damage occur every year in the United States. There are plenty of factors that might set off a house fire, but what is quite surprising about these statistics is that most of these fires are preventable. Practice these fire hazard safety tips so you can keep your family and property safe from dangerous yet avoidable mishaps.
Clean out dryer vents
A report by the U.S. Fire Administration found that 34% of 2,900 dryer-related residential fires happened as a result of lint buildup in dryer vents. Lint is highly flammable and can cause a fire. Besides this, CO gases get trapped in clogged dryer vents. They build up inside the vent and seep out into your home, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning. You can perform dryer maintenance tasks on your own, but it’s advisable to seek out a company that offers dryer vent cleaning services to do the job for you. Take your pick from the plenty of reputable ones in Concord, New Hampshire. This provides extra safety rather than doing it yourself.
Check electrical cords
You should always make sure that your electrical cords are in good condition. Repair or replace frayed and damaged cords immediately. Run-down cords can produce excessive heat, and they are a severe fire risk when trapped under a rug or between furniture and the wall. Always buy trusted brands for power strips, chargers, and surge protectors.
Keep an eye on your cooking
Never leave your cooking unattended. Always be in the room when you’re cooking, whether you have a pot on the stove or an electric griddle on. Only leave the room when absolutely necessary, and when you do, take the pot off the stove or turn off the griddle first. Don’t forget to set a timer loud enough for you to hear to alert you when it’s time to check up on something. Also, make sure that pot handles are turned inwards, away from your arms, to lessen the chance of you bumping into it.
Install and maintain smoke alarms
Properly installed and high-quality smoke alarms can save dozens of lives. Almost 50% of house fire deaths occur when people are sleeping at night. Make sure to install and thoroughly maintain smoke alarms on every floor and room of your home to ensure that this doesn’t happen to you.
Have a fire extinguisher on-hand and install a fire sprinkler system
Most homes are equipped with a fire sprinkler system. If you’re buying a new home, make sure the house you purchase has one installed already. If you don’t have one, you should have one built in place. Keeping fire extinguishers around in key areas of your home like the fireplace and kitchen is also crucial.
Don’t forget to keep your fire extinguisher away from potential fire risks so that you’ll be able to grab it without having to get too close to the fire source. You should also make sure that everyone in your home knows how to use a fire extinguisher properly. It’s helpful to remember the P.A.S.S. acronym in this case:
- P = Pull
- A = Aim
- S = Squeeze
- S = Sweep
House fires can happen to anyone and at any time, it’s best to be prepared and to minimize the risk of it happening to you with these practical and easy fire hazard management tips.
