Extinguish the Odds of a House Fire with These Safety Tips

According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 343,100 home structure fires each year. Not only can these disasters be fatal, but house fires also cause devastation through injury and property damage.

However, there are ways to lessen the threat through education and awareness. Continue reading to learn simple tips that can help keep your household safe from the dangers of house fires.

4 Important Fire Safety Tips to Follow

Forty years ago, a person had 17 minutes to escape a home fire. Today, you have less than three minutes.

The synthetic materials used in modern homes burn much faster than natural materials, which greatly reduces the time you have to escape a house fire safely.

1. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.
   
2. Test smoke alarms every month, and change the batteries at least twice a year at daylight saving time.
   
3. Talk with family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
   
4. If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT, and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

Top Causes of House Fires and How to Prevent Them

• Cooking – Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires. Stay in the kitchen and stay alert while you cook.
  
• Heating Appliances – Anything that burns should be kept at least three feet away from heating equipment, including furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves, or space heaters. Clean chimneys and fireplaces regularly.
  
• Electrical Equipment and Lighting – Have all electrical work done by a qualified professional. Use light bulbs with the correct wattage. Make sure to replace old, fraying, and faulty wires, and don’t overload your outlets.
  
• Smoking – Smoking causes 23% of home fire deaths, according to the NFPA. If someone in your household is a smoker, make sure that they always smoke outside and dispose of materials properly.
  
• Candles – Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that burns and blow them out before you leave a room or go to bed.

What Should You Do If There is a Fire?

If a fire occurs in your home, escaping to safety is your first priority. Along with following your family’s fire escape plan, follow these steps to ensure safety:

• To protect against smoke inhalation, cover your face when moving through a smoke-filled room.
  
• Get low! Smoke rises, so get down and crawl to your exit. If your first exit is blocked by smoke or the doorknob is too hot, leave it and find your way to the second exit.
  
• Once you get out, stay out. If a person or a pet is inside and needs assistance, get out first and then call 9-1-1.
  
• If you can’t escape the fire, close the door right away. Cover the vents in the room and door cracks with a wet cloth or tape to keep the smoke out. Call 9-1-1, and signal for help through the window with a flashlight or light-colored clothing.
  
• If the fire is small and manageable, use a fire extinguisher to put it out. Learn how to operate a fire extinguisher in the below video.

How Smart Home Security Can Help Save Your Home

Don’t forget that early detection of home fires is incredibly important. Installing monitored fire alarm systems is the smartest step you can take to stay safe. With monitoring, once the alarm sounds, a signal is sent to Guardian’s Monitoring Center. Then, our team quickly calls you and notifies emergency services if needed. Monitored fire detection can be especially pivotal if a fire breaks out while you’re asleep or away from home.

You can’t always predict what will happen, but you can prepare for it! Having a plan in place in the event of a fire can save you and your loved ones. You can read more about fire preparedness in our Fire Safety Guide.