When it comes to home fires, there’s only so much that a home insurance policy can do for you. It certainly can’t prevent a fire from happening in the first place. That’s up to you. Follow these home fire safety tips to keep you and your family protected.
Install smoke and fire detectors
It’s easy to get complacent and think that a home fire could never happen to you. That’s why it’s so important to have smoke and fire detectors installed in your home. As long as they have fresh batteries, these devices won’t get complacent.
- Install a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each separate sleeping area.
- Test alarms twice a year by pushing the test button on top.
- Change batteries at least once a year unless you have “long-life” (10-year) batteries.
- Replace alarms every 10 years.
Additionally, most insurance carriers offer discounts on your home insurance rate if you install a monitored fire protection system, sprinkler system or another protective device.
Learn how to use a fire extinguisher
All it takes is one mishap to start a fire and put your family in danger. If that happens, you need to act quickly. A fire extinguisher can help you put out the fire. Here are some tips on when and how to use a fire extinguisher:
- Only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is small and there isn’t much smoke.
- For larger fires, get out of the home as quickly as possible and call 9-1-1.
- When using a fire extinguisher, keep your back to an exit and make sure everyone has left or is leaving the home.
Use space heaters and fireplaces safely
In the cold weather, many homeowners rely on additional heat sources to keep warm. Two of the most popular are space heaters and fireplaces. Not coincidentally, both are common causes of home fires.
| Space Heater Safety Tips | Fireplace Safety Tips |
| Keep all flammable objects (e.g., paper, clothing, bedding, rugs) at least three feet away | Keep all flammable objects (e.g., paper, clothing, bedding, rugs) at least three feet away |
| Keep children and pets away | Keep children and pets away |
| Never leave a portable heater unattended | Never leave a fireplace unattended |
| Do not use extension cords; plug the heater directly into an outlet | Use a fireplace screen to prevent embers from escaping the fireplace |
| Try to buy a heater that shuts off automatically if it tips over | Make sure the embers are out completely before going to bed |
| Place the heater on a level, nonflammable surface, like ceramic tile | Try to have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected each year |
Stay safe in the kitchen
According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. It makes sense when you consider how routinely people cook in the kitchen and the fact that high temperatures are usually involved.
- Stay in the kitchen while cooking food
- When you’re done cooking, turn off the stove or oven
- Use a timer while cooking and check the food regularly
- Keep your stovetop clear of flammable items like potholders and towels
- If you’re sleepy or you’ve consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or oven
- Keep pets off cooking surfaces and countertops
What’s the best way to put out a grease fire?
If a grease fire starts in a pan, carefully slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Leave the lid in place until the pan is completely cool. Moving the pan can cause serious injury, so leave it where it is. Also, never pour water on a grease fire, as it can cause the burning oil to splash and spread.
Inspect electrical cords
Electrical fires are another common type of home fire. They can result from several different factors, including faulty and outdated wiring, overloaded circuits and the misuse of extension cords. Here are some simple steps you can take to ensure an electrical fire doesn’t happen in your home.
Make a fire escape plan
A home fire may seem like a far-fetched possibility, but they happen more often than you think. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a home fire is reported in the United States every 88 seconds.
If a fire starts in your home, you may only have a minute or two to escape once the smoke alarm sounds. That’s why it’s so important to have a home escape plan. Keep these important tips in mind when making yours:
- Plan two ways to escape from each room
- Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily
- Identify a place where everyone can meet outside the home
- If you need to pass through smoke, get low and go under it
- If you live in a multi-story building, use the stairs, not the elevator
- Once everyone is safe, have one person call 9-1-1
How important is it to practice the home fire escape plan?
Practicing your fire escape plan at least twice a year is extremely important. Your family’s ability to react quickly and calmly could be the reason why everyone survives. Put one adult in charge of running the practice drill and sounding the smoke alarm. Kids should be in their bedrooms when the drill starts. Everyone should try to make it to the designated meeting place in under two minutes.
Also, you should practice the plan in the day as well as the night, as most fatal home fires start at night according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Other fire prevention tips
There are so many ways that a fire can start in the home. As discussed, common causes include cooking, portable heaters and electrical accidents. But how to you guard against other types of home fires? Here are some additional home fire safety tips:
- Many home fires are started by poorly maintained furnaces or stoves. Make sure your home’s heating sources are clean and in working order.
- Have your chimney inspected and cleaned regularly. This will prevent creosote from building up inside the chimney.
- Start a no-smoking policy inside your home. If you do smoke, go outside and use large, deep ashtrays.
- Teach children that matches and lighters should be used only by adults. Store all matches and lighters up high or in a locked cabinet so kids can’t access them.
- Keep fire pits at least 10 feet from your home and any trees. Keep the fire small.
- If an electric appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately, then have it serviced.
- Inspect and clean dryer filters frequently.
- Only use kerosene heaters if allowed by law. Refuel kerosene heaters outdoors and only after they have cooled.
- Don’t use flammable liquids inside your home. If something has been soaked with a flammable liquid, discard it outside in a metal container.
