Home is the core of everyone's life, brimming with valuable memories and people you care about. It’s no one’s dream to see that abode of love turn to ashes in an instant. No one wants their home to become destroyed or burned. Even though it is unrealistic to avoid all accidents, there are various safety tips that one can follow. While there are numerous fire safety measures and tips for homeowners to know, this article provides four important points.
1. Install Reliable Smoke Alarms
It's critical to have a reliable smoke alarm in your house. Home decor, in terms of furniture and decorations, can greatly impact how quickly a fire can spread. As a result, having an adequate number of correctly placed smoke alarms is critical to optimize possible escape time.
Ionization and optical smoke alarms are the two of the most commonly available types of alarms. The first one is very responsive to blazing flames (fires that burn rapidly, such as chip pan fires) and will help you escape by detecting the fire even before the smoke becomes too thick. While the optical is more sensitive to sluggish fire detection, they are less prone to go off by accident, ideal for ground-floor corridors and single-story houses.
Because slow-burning and blazing fires are both prevalent, you should have one of each alarm installed for maximum protection. If you can't have both, having one smoke alarm is preferable to having none.
You may need to install the alarm in the corridor between the dining and bedroom areas if you live on one floor. Install one alarm on the roof and if your property has several floors, then one on each floor. Position them on the ceilings as close to the beds, hallways, or landing's centerline as possible.
Any barrier or lighting should be at least 35cm away from the sensor or alarm. A smoke alarm should not be installed in a garage because air flows up straight, it will set off alarms on the ceiling more rapidly, allowing more time to flee.
2. Have a Fire Extinguisher Installed
You should have more than one fire extinguisher in your home. You can buy a reliable fire extinguisher from fire extinguisher sales that are held on various safety fire websites. There are numerous varieties of fire extinguishers available, but it's better to choose one that can put out the most common forms of fires for household usage. With that in mind, you should invest in a composite ABC fire extinguisher, which can put out fires caused by A (wood ), B (greasy and oil), and C (electricity).
Your kitchen should include a fire extinguisher since it is the most probable place for a fire to start. You should also have an extinguisher on each floor. Many fire experts also recommend putting a fire extinguisher in the garage because people commonly store items like leftover paint, other solvents, and construction materials. As a result, this is another commonplace for a fire.
3. Be Aware of Fire Hazards at Home
While cooking, even a slight distraction can lead to a fire. So, it’s a good idea to always keep an eye on the oven or burner. Keep anything flammable away from your cooktop. You should unplug any electrical gadgets such as toasters, ovens, and slow cookers that are not being used.
Lamps or candles should be kept at least 10 inches away from anything that might catch fire. When you exit the area or go to bed, make sure to blow them out. Never allow children to play with flames. Make it a practice to store these objects high and out of reach of little children. Select the appropriate wood for your campfire. Avoid igniting rubbish in your fireplace and only use dry and seasoned wood.
4. Fire Escape Plan
Make a house fire escape plan that includes two exits from each room. Select a meeting location outdoors that is a fair distance from your house. At least once a year, practice a daytime and nighttime fire drill at home. You should aim to successfully exit the house in under 2-3 minutes.
Determine who will be in charge of bringing newborns and small children out of the house. If the primary caregiver cannot assist small children, have a backup plan in place. Teach older kids how to use the fire escape plan. Make sure kids know to get low to the ground while exiting the house if there is smoke.
Better safe than sorry is a well-known adage. If you want to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your valued home from a fire-related disaster, make sure to follow these safety tips. . Vigilance always pays off in the long run.