Fire Safety Basics

10/18/2018 (Permalink)

Protect your Family With These Fire Safety Basics

Protect Your Family With These Fire Safety Basics | SERVPRO® of Northeast Collin County/Greenville

In the United States, more than 350,000 house fires happen every year, totaling over $5.5 billion in property damage. Beyond the financial loss, these fires also lead to nearly 3,000 lives lost and another 10,000 injuries.

It is best to be sure your family is prepared in the event of a fire. The importance of everyone knowing how to prevent fires and how to respond if one occurs cannot be stressed enough.

Start teaching your kids basic fire safety guidelines at an early age. Let’s explore three fire safety practices you can practice as a family:

Finding Fire Hazards in Your Home

Take time to inspect your home. You will be surprised at how many fire hazards you will spot! Make time to go through every room and outdoor space to uncover any fire hazard.

• Make sure your appliances are running properly.
• Check electrical cords and make sure they are not frayed or broken.
• Do not overload outlets and/or extension cords.
• Ensure you are using the correct wattage of light bulbs.
• If electrical wiring is covered by rugs or carpet, uncover it.

Be Aware in the Kitchen

Home fires are often caused by cooking. That’s why it’s important to be especially careful in the kitchen.

Anyone who’s cooking needs to familiarize themselves with basic cooking safety:

• If you are tired or unable to pay attention, don’t cook.
• Stay with kids and teens when they are cooking.
• Always keep a lid on the counter when cooking on the stove. If a small grease fire occurs, the lid can be used to smother the fire.
• If a fire occurs inside the oven, turn it off and do not open the door to the oven.
• Leave the room and close the door if a kitchen fire is beginning to spread.

Design a Fire Safety Plan

If a fire occurs, every person in the family must know what to do—including how to get out of the house and where the safe meeting spot is once they’re out.

Once you create a plan, have practice drills.

You know how the saying goes: “practice makes perfect.” Regular practice of what to do makes you more likely to remember the steps if an actual fire were to occur.

If your family has experienced a fire and needs help restoring your home, SERVPRO® of North Colllin County/Greenville is ready to help! Give us call to learn about our fire restoration services and what we can do for you.  SERVPRO® of North Colllin County/Greenville is currently performing Fire restoration and complete home re-construction services in Fairview, McKinney and Murphy Texas.