Your Guide To Fire Safety: How To Prepare For Emergencies

Fire safety is one of the most important considerations while designing a building or managing one. It is an essential skill that everyone should be familiar with. Today, people are more concerned about firewalls to ensure their IT security rather than physical safety and safeguarding their homes from deadly situations like fire. In fact, both need to be taken care of with utmost importance.
An accidental fire may happen anytime, spread uncontrollably within seconds, and demolish a property in minutes. It imperils everyone in the house and may cause thousands of dollars in damage. However, with the appropriate knowledge and planning, anyone can mitigate the risk and financial losses associated with a house fire. While it is hazardous, it is preventable in the majority of cases.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), over 350,000 residential fires get reported every year in the United States. All these fire cases result in more than 2,600 deaths approximately. However, 3 out of 5 fire deaths result from home fires. These numbers are highly concerning, and it becomes the need of the hour to educate everyone about fire safety.

Some Common Causes Of Residential Fire

Even a small mistake can lead to a fire. A fire at home doesn’t require a strong cause. Right from misuse of an application to smoking in the bedroom, there is a huge list of causes of fire at home. Also, the rising temperature in summers or increased use of heaters in winters can cause fires to break out. A house contains objects and materials that may combust and result in fire under certain conditions. This is why it becomes crucial to know the causes that result in the fire so that the appropriate preventive measures can be put in place. Here are some of the causes to keep in mind.
  • Putting portable heaters close to curtains, laundry, furniture, clothes, etc.
  • Making use of flammable liquid near heating sources
  • Smoking indoor or not running ashtray underwater
  • Using faulty electrical appliances
  • Leaving cooking unattended or negligence in using cooking tools
  • Burning candles in the room or nearby ignition sources
  • Faulty wiring system
  • Leaving fireplace burning while going out
  • Faulty fuel supply or gas leakage

Preventive Measures To Safeguard Your House From Fire

Install Smoke Detection System: Some detectors could save your and your loved one’s life. Try to install a system with detectors on each floor. Along with this, make sure you change their batteries every year and check the entire detection system once in a few years.
Place Fire Extinguishers:After smoke detectors, you must move on to fire extinguishers. They must be installed and readily available throughout your home. The fire extinguishers come in very handy while dealing with small flames and will protect your family from battling a more extensive fire.
Teach Kids About Fire And Its Repercussion:Fire usually excites children, but their curiosity can easily turn into life-threatening situations. So, it becomes important to sit with them and teach them about the fire. You must make them learn the causes, how dangerous it can be, what they must do in case of fire, and more.
Outline A Clear Escape Plan And Communicate It With Your Family:In the case of a fire, an escape plan can make an incredible difference between life and death. Most of the fires are heightened by a lack of a rescue plan or a strategy. So, spare some time and make an escape plan not just for your home but also for your business or other property. This will ensure a safe evacuation of everyone.
Cook Responsibly:Cooking tops the list of causes of home fire and related injuries. Hence, you must be very careful while igniting grills and other cooking equipment. Make sure you don’t leave your kitchen unattended while cooking, especially while boiling or frying something. If you are going out, you must check the stove and turn it off completely before leaving.

Our Fire Safety and Prevention Tips

  • You must conduct fire drills at regular intervals
  • Keep a check on fire safety alarms and ensure they are working
  • Make use of quality material in the interior of your home
  • Ensure all the doors and windows are functional
  • Crawl on the ground in case of smoke
  • Keep your building plan with you and make your family familiar with it
  • Find and discuss with your family a safe meeting point
  • Share emergency contacts with everyone in your household
  • Keep your fire extinguisher where it is visible to everyone

Conclusion

Dealing with smoke and flames is the worst thing that can happen to a family. Within a matter of minutes, a fire can engulf an entire building. When it comes to fire, time is of the essence and requires a person to be well-prepared to deal with all life-threatening circumstances. Since most fires are avoidable, awareness of preventive measures will result in a safer evacuation. While the above-mentioned measures may seem familiar to you, many of us often neglect them. At times, even the most basic precaution can slip through the cracks. So, remember you can never be too cautious when it comes to fire safety at home. Take the right steps and be prepared for all kinds of house fire issues.