The thought of having a fire in your home or your business is a scary one. In some instances, a house or business fire might be unavoidable. There are times, however, When a household fire can be prevented with a little bit of mindfulness and safety practices. Here are some things to incorporate into your daily routine in order to help prevent fires and the need for fire damage restoration.
Maintain Your Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are a requirement in homes and businesses, and can save your life in the event of a potential or actual fire. Keeping your smoke detectors clear of dust and debris and well maintained can make or break a potentially life threatening situation. Change your batteries at least once a year, or if the smoke detectors indicate the batteries are low. It is also wise to test your smoke detectors on a somewhat regular basis.
Keep A Fire Extinguisher On Hand
Keeping a fire extinguisher on hand can give you peace of mind and stop a small fire from spiraling out of control. Do not ever put yourself in a life threatening situation- if the fire is already causing extreme destruction, it is better to get out of the house or business as quickly as possible than to try and put the fire out on your own. Make sure to keep your fire extinguisher in an easily accessible area, and let those in your residential or commercial property know where they can access it in case of an emergency. Fire extinguishers also require some maintenance, so be sure to know what you will need to do and when right off the bat. Some fire extinguishers are disposable and should be replaced according to the manufacturers recommendations, while others should be charged on a certain schedule whether or not they have been used.
Practice Kitchen Safety
The kitchen is a very common area for fires to start. There are many heating appliances and even open flames that can become dangerous if proper safety precautions are ignored. Grease and oil are highly flammable, so stove tops and cookware should be cleaned between uses or if there is a spill before being exposed to heat. Fabrics are also flammable and should not be near your cooking appliances. Always be aware of your sleeves, towels, and other fabrics or paper products and their proximity to your cooking appliances. Though no one ever burns their food on purpose, it is best to try and avoid doing so in order to prevent indoor fires. Set a timer while you are cooking as a reminder to check on foods and minimize the potential to burn your delicious meals and desserts.
Never Leave A Fire Unattended
Even a tiny candle can turn into a house or business fire given the right conditions. Never leave any flame sources unattended, even if only for a short while.
Clean Your Appliance Filters
Cleaning your lint traps and replacing your AC filters can help to prevent fires as well. Dust, lint, and other debris that can be caught in these filters are highly flammable. Lint traps cause more household fires than you may think, so always clean them between cycles.
These safety practices take little effort, but can go a long way in protecting your home from a fire. If you do find yourself dealing with the aftermath of a fire and are in need of fire damage restoration, contact the professionals at ITD Restoration. We offer 24/7 emergency services, and will work hard to return your home or business back to normal as quickly as possible.
