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You can help prevent the very worst from happening if you take steps to improve fire safety at home. It’s easier than you think, and the costs are very low compared to the life-saving benefits.
Maintain Your Home Appliances
One of the biggest contributors to home fires, especially electrical ones, is poor appliance maintenance. Things like your microwave, electric hob, and dryer are fire hazards. You may not be aware, but even clogged-up dryer vents can cause lint and materials to ignite by getting too hot. You can clean this yourself. But it is recommended you get a dryer vent cleaning service to inspect your vents once per year. This way, all the fire-hazardous materials are removed.
Fit a Fire Alarm, Of Course
At home, fire detection is the most important thing. Because of this, you are two times more likely to perish in a fire incident if you don’t have a smoke detector than if you do. So, it’s important to put a smoke alarm in your home because it could save your life. Because of this, it is required by law in places that are rented. Also, they aren’t very expensive to purchase. And some local fire departments will even install and test them for free for you once a year.
Be Sensible when Cooking to Improve Fire Safety
Make sure your stove, oven, and grill are clean to prevent a fire in the kitchen. Fat, grease, and food bits can start a fire. Also, when cooking food in the kitchen, you should try not to wear loose clothes that could easily catch fire, especially if you use a gas flame appliance. But even if your oven is electric, you shouldn’t hang tea towels, kitchen towels, or aprons near it. And always keep the area where you cook safe, clean, and free of electrical cords.
Create a Family Evacuation Plan
A house fire is a terrible thing. One that shouldn’t happen as often as it does. So, if the unthinkable happens, make sure you know how to get out quickly and safely and make sure everybody in your home knows how to do the same. So, any exits must be kept clear, and if possible, there should be two ways to get to safety. Fire drills help kids know what to do if there is a fire. And finally, make sure the keys to your doors and windows are easily located.
Be Careful with Things You Light
If you smoke in your household, you really need to take some smart safety steps. Simple steps like not continuing to smoke in bed, using an ashtray, and putting out cigarettes the right way are simple ways to stop a fire from starting this way. You should also make sure candles are snuffed out before leaving your home or going to bed. Additionally, never leave a candle unsupervised where small children can reach it and potentially ignite themselves accidentally.
Summary
You can quickly and simply improve fire safety at home. You can keep appliances maintained, be sensible when you are cooking, and be careful with cigarettes and home candles.
