Home fire safety should be a significant concern for any homeowner, wherever you may live. In the US, one home fire occurs every 88 seconds, with fire departments responding to an average of 355,400 fires per year. With that in mind, it’s safe to say that you should think about how to prevent fires from starting in your home, but also what you can do in case one does occur.
At FloodTech 3, we are dedicated to helping you prevent the loss of your home and precious things from unexpected house fires. We offer round-the-clock services to clients throughout Northern Virginia, including quality fire damage restoration, mold remediation, and biohazard cleaning. Our restoration specialists use advanced cleaning techniques and equipment to ensure that your property is restored after a house fire.
Here are some ways for you to prevent disastrous fires in your home:
ABOVE ALL, SMOKE ALARMS
All homes should be equipped with multiple smoke alarms on every floor and in nearly every room. Make sure that you test them regularly and change each of their batteries at least once every year. A functioning set of smoke alarms inside your household will double the chances of you and your loved ones surviving a house fire.
KEEP AN EYE OUT IN THE KITCHEN
Among the most common areas where fires occur in the house is in the kitchen, usually around the stove. Your first step in preventing fires here is by storing a fire extinguisher that is easily within reach, in case something burns when you are cooking. Another step you should take is moving any curtains, towels, and paper towels away from the stovetop. Also, clear all clutter surrounding any countertop microwaves and keep its vents clear.
STAYING WARM & SAFE
During the cold months, we’re all tempted to use heating equipment, such as space heaters, to keep warm in our homes. However, these sources of heat are hazardous, as they are involved in half of all fires between December and February. To avoid any fire hazards, make sure that you keep any flammable materials at least three feet away from your heaters. Also, never leave your space heaters plugged in when you are asleep or in another room.
CHECK APPLIANCES & ELECTRONICS
There are other pieces of equipment used around the home that also have the potential to cause house fires. For example, 9 out of 10 appliance fires are caused by dryers. This is often because certain elements of your appliances or electronics are absent-mindedly left in a state that causes fires to occur.
To avoid dryer fires, be sure to clean the lint collector each time you use it, as the build-up of lint within the dryer decreases the airflow, thus allowing the heat produced to eventually burn the lint, which is highly combustible. To avoid electronic fires, make sure that your larger appliances have their own independent outlets, and keep flammable objects away from televisions and computers, as their internal components tend to overheat at times.
FLOODTECH 3: PROFESSIONAL FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION IN NORTHERN VA
Above are just a few of the numerous ways to prevent fires within your home. To ensure that you and your family remain safe, stay alert and attentive to the rules above. If a fire hazard incident ever occurs in your home, ensure that your family, as well as the rest of your property, remains safe and clean by hiring an effective fire damage restoration service, such as FloodTech 3. Our team of cleaning and reconstruction specialists have helped clients across Northern Virginia recover their property and valuables from damaging home fires.
Contact us at 703-270-6428 learn more about our 24/7 flood, fire, and biohazard restoration services.