Smoke detectors are absolutely necessary for your personal safety, and you should definitely keep them in good working order.
In addition to safety features that help you avoid the worst case scenario in the event of a house fire, though, doesn’t it make sense to take steps to reduce the risk of a fire in your home?
A house fire is a terrible disaster.
Here’s how you can make your home a little safer for you and your family:
Reduce Fire Risk At Home
- Keep fire extinguishers in each room, and check annually to make sure they’re charged
- Regularly check electrical cords and power strips, and discard any that are frayed or chewed by rodents
- Never overload power outlets
- Check lamps to ensure that light bulbs are the appropriate wattage for their sockets
- Don’t leave space heaters or string lights on while you sleep
- Get your heating systems serviced every 2 years
- Use fire resistant home fabrics, like curtains and upholstery
- Change your air filters regularly
- Clean chimneys annually
- Keep your dryer lint-free – always clear the lint trap before using your dryer
- Reduce clutter and keep your home as neat as possible
- Water houseplants regularly
- Don’t leave flammable items around heat sources, including light bulbs that get hot
- Keep your kitchen clean and clutter-free, especially around your oven and stove
- Follow heating instructions for prepackaged food
House fires aren’t very common. There are less than 100,000 residential fires each year…but a house fire is so devastating, each one of those is tragic.
It’s worth thinking about fire risk and taking small, consistent steps to reduce that risk to protect yourself, your pets, and your family. As much as we’d prefer not to think about the possibility of a disaster like a home fire, we’ve got to make preparations sometimes. It’s far better to be prepared for something than never happens than it is to skip preparation and eventually need it!
