How Can I Prevent a House Fire?

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

Test your smoke detectors. Properly maintain your smoke alarms by testing the batteries once a month.

Inspect heating sources. Regardless of what kind of primary heating you have in your home, an annual inspection will reduce your risk of fire.

Keep the stove and oven clear. To prevent kitchen fires, don’t leave anything flammable near the stove or oven

Stay in the kitchen. Don’t leave a hot cooking surface unattended.

Check the dryer. If you have a gas-powered clothes dryer, have it inspected once a year to make sure all connections are secure.

Maintain electrical cords. Regularly check the condition of electrical cords and watch out for frayed wires.

Know your shutoffs. Know the locations of your power shutoffs for all utilities, including gas lines, circuit breakers, appliances, and fuses.

Store flammable products properly. Keep flammable products away from heat, including exposure to sunlight.

Be careful with candles. Never leave candles unattended and always keep them away from flammable items like blankets and curtains.

Prevent wildfires from outdoor fire pits, bonfires, and burn barrels. Make sure your fire pit or burn barrel is constructed of nonflammable materials, like stone or concrete.

Keep fire extinguishers handy. Some homes come equipped with fire sprinkler systems, but fire extinguishers stocked in key areas of your home is the next best thing.