10 Fire Safety Prevention Tips For Your Home
Awareness, education, and preparation are the best ways to ensure the safety of your home and your loved ones. Read on for all the tips, best practices, and products you need to stay safe. From potential fire hazards to high-risk areas in your home and preventative measures, find everything you need to know to make sure your home is safe and secure in case of fire.
1. Purchase fire extinguishers
Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, garage, or near any other potentially hazardous areas such as your furnace, electrical fireplace, etc. Make sure to follow all the care, testing, and usage guidelines included with your fire extinguisher by the
manufacturer.
2. Install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms
Install and regularly maintain carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and smoke alarms to guard against deadly gas leaks and fire hazards. Make sure to replace batteries regularly and test them once a month.
Consult your user manuals for the best placement for these life-saving devices in your home. Smoke alarms should always be installed to the ceiling, while CO detectors should be kept close to sleeping areas such as in your bedroom or in the hallway.
3. Avoid overloading extension cords
Extension cords are not designed for long-term use; replace them regularly. Keep extension cords out of high-traffic areas, and inspect them frequently for damage. Don't overload extension cords with plugs and ensure that you do not exceed the maximum wattage allowed.
4. Use fireplace screens for protection
Keep a screen or heat-tempered glass door in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks and embers from flying out. Fireplace screens work well as a decorative element or a focal point in your living room, and help to create a safer environment for kids and pets. For more fireplace safety information, see Tip #8.
5. Keep fire safety in mind in the kitchen
Never leave appliances unattended while cooking. In case of grease fire, cover the flame with a lid. Turn all pot handles to the stove's centre. And always double check to make sure you've turned off your appliances after use.
6. Install exit and emergency lighting
Fires can cause power outages, and vice versa. Make sure the occupants of your home have a safely-lit and clearly-indicated path to the outdoors in case your regular lighting system malfunctions. This is particularly important for non-residential buildings or homes that welcome frequent guests, as occupants of the building may not be familiar with their surroundings.
7. Prevent electrical damage with surge protectors
If you have a lot of electrical equipment, surge protectors will help to prevent damage in the event of power surges. This is different from power strips, which only provides more outlets for use. Never plug in one surge protector into another as a "daisy chain" - this can risk blown fuses or electrical fires.
8. Don't ignore fireplace safety
Never use gasoline, kerosene, or lighter fluid to start a fire in your fireplace. Check regularly for cracks, loose bricks, or other defects in your fireplace. For more information on fireplace screen protection, see Tip #4.
9. Use fire-resistant insulation
ROXUL insulation resists temperatures of up to 1177°C without burning or melting. Non-combustible stone wool does not promote the spread of flame or produce toxic smoke in the event of fire; these factors may provide critical additional time and protection needed to facilitate an escape.
10. Be prepared with ready-to-use ladders and an exit plan
Have a back-up exit method prepared in case your primary method is blocked — purchase collapsible ladders to place near a window. Never open a warm door; if the door's top, knob, and crack feel warm or hot, use your secondary escape route. If you must escape through a smoky area, cover your mouth and stay as low to the ground as possible. And teach kids not to hide (say, under a bed) from firefighters!
MORE WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM FIRE HAZARDS
CLEAN YOUR ELECTRIC FIREPLACE
Electric fireplaces can collect dust and dirt in their grill, blower, fan, or exhaust port. This debris is a fire hazard when it's close to high heat levels. Wipe away any cobwebs or dust from your electric fireplace's grill or blower once a week. Use a vacuum to remove any other dust from the blower or the rear portion of the blower, where the fan assembly is located.
REPLACE ELECTRIC CABLE AND BUILDING WIRES TO PREVENT WIRING DECAY
Make sure to regularly inspect (or have an electrician inspect) your electrical wiring. If wiring is fraying or otherwise damaged, the best action is to replace it. Alternatively, electrical tape can be a safe and effective solution in situations where inner metal is not exposed or severed. Finally, twist-on connectors (or "wire nuts") can fix a minimally-damaged electrical wire.
