Prevent a fire from happening
 

The best way to fight a fire is to prevent it from happening in the first place. There are several things families can do to lessen the chances of a fire starting in their homes. Some fires cannot be prevented, so families need to have a plan of action that everyone knows and has practiced in the event of a fire.

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·         Meet with a home security professional

·         Install and check smoke detectors on every floor

·         Have a fire escape plan

·         If a building is on fire , get out and stay out

·         Place a fire extinguisher on every floor in the home

·         Keep combustible materials away from heat sources

·         Never smoke in bed

·         Keep holiday greens away from heat source

Fire Escape Plan

Do you have a fire escape plan for your home? Do all your family members know fire extinguishers are? Do you have smoke alarms installed, and are they functioning properly? Does the fire department know where water can be obtained near your home and farm? If you can answer yes to these questions, you are on the right track. If not, you need a home security plan immediately.

Planning is the best way to prepare for a fire. Included in your homes security plan you should make a fire escape plan and practice it. Remember to include children because they often panic during fires and hide in closets and under beds where they can’t be found. Hold fire drills. Discuss the results, and improve the procedure, if unsure meet with a home security professional. Place fire extinguishers on every floor, and read the instructions out loud so everyone knows how to use them. Install smoke alarms, and put a rope ladder near an upstairs window.

Here is a home security basic fire escape plan:

  1. Make an outline of the entire floor area.
  2. Add each room, label the map.
  3. Locate windows, doors, and stairways. Show rooftops that also can be used. Can each escape route really be used in an emergency?
  4. Select the best window in each room. Test it to be sure it works easily and it is large and low enough. Can children unlock and open windows?
  5. Have two escape plans. Use black arrows to show normal exits through the hall or stairway; colored arrows for alternative routes if fire blocks the hallway or stairs.
  6. Keep all exit routes clear of any objects and debris. Nothing should be in the way to hinder escape.
  7. Designate a meeting place outside. If you can, the front of your home is the best place. That is where the fire department will arrive. Once outside, make it clear that no one goes back in for any reason until the fire department says it’s safe.
  8. Practice exit drills. Although a smoke detector gives you extra time, you still need to know what to do when a fire occurs. If you have planned and practiced an escape, you will know! The more you practice, the better the chances that you and your family will act from practice and not from panic. Plan a drill at least once every six months.
General Housekeeping

Inspect your house fire hazards. Check the electrical system, all appliances, equipment, fuel storage, the heating system, stoves and portable heaters. Make needed repairs without delay. Remove fire hazards such as trash, clutter, stacks of newspapers and other unneeded flammable materials.

Equip your house and garage with fire extinguishers. Consult a fire authority or home security professional concerning specific needs. Also, install smoke detectors on every floor of your home. Test them regularly. Replace batteries once a year. Use an anniversary, when you turn your clocks back, or some other annual event to remind you to replace the batteries. If your smoke detector is more than 10 years old, replace it with a new one.

 

Ralph Winn publishes articles, guides and reviews on security related topics. Ralph Winn has over 32 years of education and experience in the security industry. Your home should be your haven where you feel comfortable and secure. Everybody deserves to feel safe in their own home. The world around us can get hectic at times, and it's important to have a place of safety we can retreat to when times are tough. That's why our goal at the home security store is to help you find the best way to provide a protected environment for you and your loved ones. Ralph has created a user-friendly security forum for you to get answers.