As a homeowner, the possibility of a home fire can be quite harrowing. All it takes is one fire to go out of control for you to lose your home and many of your belongings. Being fire safety conscious as you build or move into a home is important.
Fix Electrical Issues
Fixing electrical issues is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your home and family. So many home fires are started each year because of electrical issues. Have an electrician go through your home and check your wiring.
If your home’s structure is old, it’s possible that some of the protective coating on certain wires has worn off, leaving the wire exposed and making it possible for a fire to start.
Incorporate Fire-Resistant Materials
Another important step to consider is using fire-resistant materials in the building or renovation of your home. There are a few places where it’s especially smart to invest in fire-resistant materials. Using fire-resistant materials in the kitchen is a great idea because so many fires tend to start there.
It’s also smart to consider a metal roof—metal roofs aren’t flammable themselves and will also help limit a fire’s potential to keep growing. Because the roof won’t catch fire, it will be harder for the fire to get outside oxygen once it starts to reach greater heights. Additionally, metal roofs are a great green roofing option because they’re often made with recycled materials.
Learn Fire Safety
While it’s essential that you do all you can to make your home’s set up safe and resistant to fires, it’s also important to make sure you and your family members know what to do in case of fire. Figure out a specific safety plan with your family—talk about different kinds of fires and how to address them.
Taking care of a grease fire will require a different method than taking care of a fire in the microwave. Teach children how to use a fire extinguisher. Help children learn how to use fire escape ladders if their bedrooms are on upper floors.
As you figure out the right fire safety plan for you and your family, make sure you do a thorough analysis of your home. Check each of the rooms and look for fire hazards. Try to eliminate those and then build a plan for how to act in the rare case of a fire emergency.
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