While a water damage occurring in your home from a rain or windstorm, a broken pipe or perhaps an overflowing sink or toilet is a terrible event to experience, virtually nothing is as devastating as a fire.
And while statistics indicate a downward trend in house fires, mainly because of better, modern safety protocols, it is still a huge issue that must be addressed. For example, in 2013 there were more than 1,200,000 home fires, nearly 3,500 deaths and 16,000 injuries reported by the National Fire Protection Association.
More than half of home fires start in one of your favorite places: The kitchen. That’s right. Cooking is an everyday occurrence and it is the number one cause of fires. Usually on the stove. Other causes include candles, Christmas trees, overburdened electrical cords/outlets, appliance malfunctions and cigarettes or cigars, to name just a few.
What can you do to make things safe in your home and protect your family?
Safety protocols
The following list of fire safety tips will protect your home and family.
- Smoke alarms: Install modern devices on every level of your home, outside and insider bedrooms. Be sure to install one in your garage as well. Test all alarms each month and replace batteries annually.
- Fire extinguishers: Consult a professional and choose fire extinguishers appropriate for the area of the house, such as one made for kitchen fires. Ensure all family members know exactly where the extinguishers are located. Have them tested or replaced per manufacturer recommendation.
- Escape plan: You need one. All family members need to know what they should do in the event of a fire, such as leaving valuables behind as nothing is worth as much as a human life.