Homeowner Fire Prevention Tips

3/21/2021 (Permalink)

Have a plan

If there is one common practice that everyone was taught in school it was to stop, drop, and roll in the case of a fire. While this common practice has been all but drilled into us in childhood there is one piece of information that is often forgotten in the midst of a fire, preparation. Being prepared in the case of a fire is your best bet for keeping yourself and your family safe. Here are five tips to prevent a fire.

Make sure that all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are functional in your home.

Just having a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector in your home is not enough. It is extremely important to verify that these instruments are working how they are intended too.

Invest in fire extinguishers and sprinklers.

It is important to have fire extinguished and sprinklers in the home as they can help prevent the spread of small fires. A fire extinguisher should be used when a fire is confined to a small space. Remeber these acronyms when you are using a fire extinguisher

R.A.C.E. RESCUE, ALARM, CONFINE, EXTINGUISH/EVACUATE.

P.A.S.S.

• Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
• Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
• Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

Stay alert while cooking.

Kitchen fires are very frequent causes of fires. It is important to know how to put out a grease fire. Grease fires is not to be doused in any kind of liquid. A liquid on a grease fire will only work to expand the already growing fire. A better method is if the fire is in a pan to cover it completely with a metal lid or a baking sheet. It is best to also call 911.

Have a plan.

It is very important to not only be avidly working to have a preventative plan in case of a fire but to also to have an up to date backup plan. An escape plan is crucial to ensuring that individuals are calm and not panicked.

Despite how prepared one might be there are still events that result in fires that are uncontrollable. That is where SERVPRO steps in to help. Fire clean up should be left up to a professional that can aid in minimizing the fire damage as much as possible.

If you need any help with fire clean up give SERVPRO of York, James City County, and Poquoson a call.

757-229-3342 or toll free at 1-800-889-5002

SERVPRO cares and are always here to help!