A fire can be one of the most devastating events in a family’s life. In the aftermath of a fire, they have not only the loss and damage to personal property to contend with, but also the residual emotional trauma that echoes long after the flames are extinguished. Fortunately, most home fires can be prevented fairly easily, meaning that by exercising a few common sense precautions, families will never have to know what it feels like to put their lives back together in the wake of a house fire.
Fire prevention begins in the kitchen, which is one of the most common rooms in the home in which a blaze begins. Sensible cooking techniques also ensure fire safety. Follow simple guidelines like keeping flammable objects at least three feet away from the range top. That means dishtowels, paper towels, plastic bags, and curtains should be kept well away from any cooking surface. The same goes for loose clothing. Either change clothes or roll up long sleeves before cooking to prevent starting a fire by clothing coming into contact with a hot burner. Additionally, never leave anything cooking on the stove unattended. This means in the kitchen or at the outdoor grill. A watched pot may never boil, but it also won’t start a fire.
Every year hundreds of fires are caused by children playing with matches or lighters. Nip their curiosity about matches and lighters in the bud by placing such items well out of their reach, preferably in a locked cupboard. Also counsel children about the dangers associated with playing with matches and lighters and let them know that they should inform an adult when they see one of these items lying around unattended.
Space heaters are responsible for approximately two hundred deaths every year in the United States. Prevent your family from contributing to this statistic by using space heaters wisely. Place them at least three feet away from anything flammable including drapes, furniture, and walls. Always buy a space heater that shuts off automatically in case it gets tipped over and never leave a space heater running in an unoccupied room.
Chimneys, fireplaces, and woodstoves also cause many home fires. Have chimneys inspected regularly and clean them whenever necessary. A fireplace should never be used without a protective screen in front of it. Also, keep flammable materials well away from any blaze kindled on the hearth. Like other sources of heat in the home, no fire should be left burning unattended in the fireplace.
Careless disposal of cigarettes causes numerous house fires and a tragic number of deaths each year. Smokers should be encouraged to smoke outside the home, but even that is not enough. Always make sure a used cigarette is completely extinguished before disposing of it. Place a bucket of sand outside for safe disposal of cigarette butts. Smokers who cannot be persuaded to light up outside should be cautioned against ever smoking in bed or at any time they are feeling drowsy. Most home fires caused by cigarettes are the result of someone falling asleep while smoking. Before disposing of any cigarette in a trash receptacle, it should be liberally doused with water to prevent it from igniting the other garbage in the bin. Smokers should be encouraged to use a deep ashtray with high sides that is set securely on a sturdy surface.
Candles are a beautiful way to illuminate a home, particularly during the holiday season, but many home fires are caused every year by unattended candles. Children should not be allowed to keep candles or incense in their room and an adult should always be present when a candle is lit. Metal and glass candleholders that are clearly non-flammable are the best choices and any flame should be extinguished by an adult upon leaving a room.
Flammable items like gasoline should be kept in proper containers and stored somewhere away from the house, preferably in a storage shed. Other household goods that represent a fire hazard should be clearly labeled with words like warning, danger, and caution. Consider storing these items outside the home, such as in a tool shed or garage. Also consider placing these items in a locked cupboard.