Preventing Fires in the Home
Preventing Home Fires – Top 3 Simple Ways
Accidental house fires remain a serious safety threat to homeowners, renters, and their families. Each year, roughly 3,400 people are killed in home fires or by burn injuries, making them the third-most-common cause of accidental deaths at home. Eight out of 10 fire-related deaths occur at home—the place that is the very embodiment of comfort and security.
Fire Threat 1: Cooking
Fire safety starts in the kitchen. Cooking—particularly stove-top cooking—represents the leading cause of home fires. Many such fires occur after residents put something on the stove but become distracted and forget about it.
Solution: Stand by your pan. Because cooking causes so many home fires, it’s essential to give anything that’s on top of your stove has your undivided attention. If you have to leave the kitchen, turn the heat off before you answer the phone or leave the room.
Fire Threat 2: Smoking
In addition to its health dangers, smoking is the third-most-common cause of home fires—and the top cause of home fire deaths. Such fires can occur as smokers lose track of their still-smoldering butts, which then come in contact with flammable surfaces such as couch cushions.
Solution: Take it outside. If you have a smoker in the house, the best way to prevent cigarette-related home fires is to institute a policy of no smoking indoors. Do it outside, because that typically will remove folks from dangerous spots like upholstered furniture. Most people do not have as many combustible items around outside. In addition, cigarettes should be doused with water before they are thrown away to make sure they are completely extinguished.
Fire Threat 3: Electrical
Faulty or deteriorating electrical cords are another top cause of home fires. Cords that become frayed or cracked can send sparks to flammable surfaces and start a fire.
Solution: Cord checkup. Check all of your electrical cords to ensure that they are in good shape, and replace any that are worn out. In addition, make sure you are not overloading circuits. It should be one plug per receptacle—you don’t want that octopus thing going on.