House fires cause thousands of deaths and millions of dollars in damage each year. Homeowners can prevent this destruction by following a number of simple safety tips. While a home can never be totally fireproof, the risks of a house fire can be significantly reduced.
1) Hire a professional to inspect your home. Some safety hazards are only apparent to a trained eye, like those related to electrical, heating, or gas systems. While you can take some steps to prevent fires, a professional may be able to fix more complex fire risks.
2) Stay in the kitchen when cooking, especially when using gas burners. Many fires start when people leave their kitchens for even a brief moment. If you must leave, turn off the burners. Always have a fire extinguisher in case of a fire, and be especially careful when cooking with oil.
3) Do not lie down while smoking. If you fall asleep, you could drop the cigarette, starting a fire that can quickly burn out of control. Many people burn up each year due to a misplaced cigarette.
4) Electrical fires are the main cause of house fires, so spend time (and money, if necessary) identifying and eliminating potential hazards. Check for any exposed wires or faulty wiring, especially if your home is old. Make sure to check crawl spaces and attics, because rodents often chew away insulation from wires. Ensure that circuits are not overloaded, and that there are not too many electronic devices plugged into outlets or surge protectors. Extension cords can also be dangerous, especially if used with electricity hungry devices (like air conditioners).
5) Make sure each floor of your home has a smoke detector with charged batteries, and check them regularly. Fire extinguishers should be easily accessible from every room in the house. You may want to install other anti-fire devices, such as an indoor sprinkler system, for an extra measure of security.
6) If your house is connected to natural gas, make sure that all pilot lights and other equipment are in order, and clear away any flammable debris located around boilers, burners, etc. In general, make sure there are no flammable materials near any heat source. If you smell gas and can’t detect its source, call a professional and/or the fire department immediately.
7) Check your household appliances, such as air conditioners, heaters, ovens, and toasters for any shorts, exposed wires, missing ground prongs, or any other potential fire hazards associated with the device. If a device ever acts strangely, is unusually hot to the touch, or emits an odor, turn it off immediately and either repair or replace it. Space heaters can be very risky, for example: they should not be near any flammable materials, nor should they be used with extension cords. Clothes dryers vents can also clog, creating a fire hazard. Always use your appliances according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
8) If you have a fireplace, make sure it and the chimney are properly maintained, and never leave a fire unattended.
9) Keep an eye on any candles or other open flames.
10) Christmas trees can burn out of control in seconds. This combustibility only increases as the tree drys, so don’t keep it too long past the holidays. Turn off the tree’s lights when out of the house or when sleeping.