No home or business owner ever wants to deal with fire damage if they can avoid it. While you can’t prevent every fire, there are several things you can do to help reduce the likelihood of one. Check out these 4 tips to help prevent damage from a fire in your space.
1. Working Smoke Alarms
The top thing that you can do to reduce or prevent fire damage is to have working smoke alarms. These will alert you when there is smoke, so it may not stop the fire. However, it could significantly improve your safety and reduce damage. You should have working smoke alarms throughout the home. It’s also critical that you regularly test these alarms to make sure they are working.
Smoke alarms are affordable; you just have to be responsible for purchasing and maintaining them. Many local fire departments will actually provide some for free. Most will also come and inspect your fire alarms as well.
2. Be Mindful of Flammable Items
That gas can that you left sitting out is flammable. Things like grass clippings, aerosol cans, fireworks, cooking materials, nail polish, and more can all be flammable. If these end up too close to heat or an open flame, the results could be bad.
Take note of these items and store them properly to help keep your home safe. The majority of items simply need to be kept away from open flame or stored in a cool, dry location to prevent a fire from occurring.
3. Electrical Wiring & Use
There are a lot of home fires that start because there is bad wiring or plug-ins being used improperly. This is one issue that you can prevent by being proactive. We recommend having your electrical system maintained and inspected occasionally. If you ever smell smoke or something hot, take action right away.
Wires hidden in the attic or around the home can be chewed on by hidden pests without you knowing until there is a problem. Always use a professional to handle electrical elements like these. Ensure that your appliances and surge protectors are all being utilized and plugged in properly.
4. Don’t Leave Flames Unattended
Think about the last time you cooked something on the stove. Did you walk away from the stove and leave a pot unattended? Even just walking away for a few seconds is a risk. It’s too easy to get distracted or for something to happen while your back is turned.
It’s the same concept for any type of open flame. If you’re operating a grill near the home, it needs to be monitored. If you have a bonfire, fire pit, fireplace, or anything like that, all of these should be attended when in use. Fires should be put out or turned off before you walk away and leave them.
Fire Damage Restoration
If you or someone you know does face fire damage, we’re here to help. Semper Fi Cleaning and Restoration can work with you to restore your home or office when a fire occurs. The best thing is to prevent fires if you can. However, when they happen, we’re here for you.
