10 Ways to Prevent and Survive House Fires

8/2/2019 (Permalink)

These 10 tips from professional firefighters can help you prevent a fire from damaging your home and help you escape if one does occur.

Many house fires can be prevented and survived. Keep yourself and your family safe with these best practices provided by professional firefighters.

1. Show Us Your Number

Firefighters and first responders need to find your home quickly in an emergency. House numbers  should be at least 4 inches tall, visible from the street, visible at night and unobstructed from all angles.

2. Hold Regular Fire Drills

Make a family escape plan and practice it. Start your drill in sleeping areas with the lights out. Practice staying low and crawling through your emergency exits. Meet at a pre-selected meeting place outside.

3. Inspect Extension Cords

Inspect cords and discard any that get hot with use or are visibly damaged. Make sure your cords are properly rated for the job and aren’t pinched behind or beneath furniture.

4. Cool Your Ash

Treat all fireplace ashes as if they’re still burning. Put them in a metal container, close it with a tight-fitting lid and let the ashes cool outside at least 10 feet from your home or other structure.

5. Avoid False Alarms

Make sure your fire alarm system is installed by a licensed professional, test it monthly and keep it clean of dust and debris.

6. Allow Space for Space Heaters

Give space heaters at least 3 feet of clearance on all sides. Never leave a space heater unattended and keep children and pets a safe distance away.

7. Learn What to Burn

Don’t burn trash or paper in a fireplace. Tiny particles of burning paper can float up your chimney and onto the roof or into the yard, posing a fire risk.

8. Use the Right Extinguisher

A 2.5-pound Class ABC multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher will put out many types of household fires that involve wood, paper, plastics, liquids, electric appliances or electrical outlets.

9. Use That Extinguisher Correctly

Remember a simple acronym: PASS. Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze and hold down the handle, and Sweep from side to side and front to back.

10. Inspect Gas Grills Annually

Check the gas tank hose for leaks by applying a soap-and-water solution to it, then open the valve to the propane tank. If you see bubbles, close the gas valve and have the grill repaired before using it.

We are here for YOU!

If disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and Sangamon, Morgan, Cass, Macoupin, Montgomery Counties is Here to Help!  Give us a call 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Source: Bob Vila