21 Fire Safety Tips for Home

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21 Fire Safety Tips for Home

1,342,500 fires were reported in 2015 across the United States of America. This accounts for 3,280 civilian fire deaths and 15,700 civilian fire injuries, $14,3 billion in property damage and a 3.7% increase from 2014. This means that a Fire Department responds to a fire emergency every 23 seconds.

Beside the material and life loss, the post traumatic shock haunts the survivors for life. But home fires can and should be prevented if you follow some basic safety tips!

  1. Install smoke and fire alarms in the house or the apartment. If a fire starts, you will have a few seconds to get to safety – and when it comes to fires, seconds are vital!
  2. Have a fire escape plan. Even if you live in a studio apartment, you should be aware of your fire escapes: the door, a window, a fire ladder, a neighboring roof etc.
  3. Have a fire extinguisher in the house. You might think you won’t ever need it and there is no reason to fill up space in a closet with it, but it is your go-to choice if something bad happens. Make sure you have the proper training to use a fire extinguisher: there is one thing to own it and another to be able to use it properly.
  4. If you have children, make sure they know they can trust firefighters and that they should never hide from the specialists coming to their rescue.
  5. Fire proof your kitchen – as this is the main source of house fires. Use fireproof materials, wood elements, accessories and electrical appliances.
  6. Never leave the kitchen when you cook and if you have to, make sure you put the fire down.
  7. Don’t cook if you had a drink, drugs or pills that alter your state of mind, if you are tired, sleepy or feel sick.
  8. Keep your sleeves rolled at all times.
  9. Smoke only on the porch or the balcony. If you smoke inside the apartment, make sure the room’s windows are open.
  10. Always check for burning cigarettes and ashes when you empty the ashtray in the garbage bin.
  11. Never put ashtrays on sofas or anything made of textile materials, as they burn fast
  12. Replace all the old electrical appliances in the house, change the electrical cords and wires.
  13. Don’t hide electrical cords under furniture pieces.
  14. Don’t overcharge outlets, extension cords or wall sockets.
  15. Make sure you never leave a room with burning candles and don’t fall asleep in the bedroom or bathroom while the candles still burn.
  16. Never leave children unattended in the kitchen or near heaters or electrical appliances, open stoves, fireplaces or burning candles.
  17. Store lighters and matches away from children and if they accidentally find such objects, teach them to show them to you for better storage.
  18. Don’t use the oven to heat your apartment.
  19. Store flammable sprays, liquids and materials away from heat sources.
  20. Have a Red Panic Button app installed on your phone. It allows you to send a distress call in case of a fire to your emergency contacts list via SMS and Twitter. In case a fire strikes in your home, the Panic Button app will alert your close ones and provide them with your exact address and GPS coordinates in order to make search and rescue operations faster and easier.
  21. Before you leave the house, make sure the fire completely out all over the house.

What other fire safety tips and tricks do you use? Are there others you want to share with us?

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