Few prospects are as terrifying as your house catching on fire.
Let’s face it, whether you’re inside or out, it’s the last thing you want to happen. After all, house-fires threaten everything and everyone you hold dear.
Unfortunately, they’re all too common. Well over 350,000 house-fires occur every year, causing over 2,600 civilian fatalities.
Learning how to avoid the same fate is all-important. Want to do exactly that? Keep reading for 5 tips on how to prevent fires at home.
Be Careful with Candles
Everybody loves candles.
However, they’re also the cause of countless fires every year. If you enjoy lighting candles at home, then be sure to do so sensibly.
Never put them somewhere that could catch fire (such as on carpets or near curtains). Moreover, never fall asleep while they’re still burning. Extinguish them as soon as you’re sleepy or no longer need them.
Finally, with kids and pets around, be sure to place lit candles out of harms-way. You don’t want them to be knocked over, whether you know about it or not.
Store Flammable Items and Products Appropriately
Almost every house has flammable products lying around somewhere.
Common examples include your household cleaners and cosmetic goods. Always ensure they’re stowed away safely.
Your hairspray might be a central part of your morning beauty routine. However, if (for whatever reason) it ended up next to a fireplace or burning candle, then there’s a danger it could literally blow up.
Follow the instructions on the back: keep them stored in a cool, dry place.
Never Leave Your Kitchen Unattended
We’ve all been there: You’ve just started frying the bacon when the phone rings in the hall. Assuming it’ll be fine, you leave the stove unattended to go and answer it.
Don’t do it — the risks involved aren’t worth the reward. Never leave your cooking unattended.
Oh, and remember to keep your oven and stove-top clean at all times. We know, it’s a grease-covered hassle. But the flammable nature of a dirty oven means cleaning it might just save your life.
Always Test Your Smoke Alarms
This one’s impossible to over-emphasize: Test your smoke alarms regularly.
Been a while since you last did it? Rectify that now and see if they work. A functioning smoke detector can be the difference between getting out of your burning house alive and not.
Have Fire-Extinguishers on Hand
Finally, get your hands on some fire-extinguishers too.
Make sure everybody in the house knows how to use them. Having extinguishers on hand can stop a bad situation from getting worse.
Without them, you might be calling fire damage repair and restoration professionals to lend a hand.
Now You Know How to Prevent Fires at Home
We don’t need to tell you how important it is to know how to prevent fires at home.
It’s literally a matter of life and death.
Hopefully, this article has proved useful in this regard. Want more like it? Check out similar posts in the Improvement section of the site.
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