Your home is your safe space. But to make it that way you have to take certain steps, especially with some serious dangers, like the ones posed by a frequent destroyer of houses – fire. We’re not saying this to make you paranoid but simply aware. Because outside of freak accidents or very unfortunate events, they can be avoided pretty easily. And it’s a shame since negligence is among the most common reasons for home fires. It’s much easier to prevent them than stop them once they start. They can spread in split seconds and then the situation tends to get out of hand really quickly. So, what to do?
The Usual Suspects
When it comes to house fires, cooking, heating equipment, and faulty wiring often top the list of culprits. While we could delve into more specific categories, it’s enough to remember that these are the main causes. This makes it much easier to identify specific risks around your house and based on that pick the right fire extinguishers – just in case. This will give you the means to reduce any hazards and better protect your house.
Kitchen Fires
Let’s start with the most common scenario – kitchen-related fires, usually a result of a cooking session going sideways. It’s a good rule of thumb never to leave the room when something’s cooking. Sounds a bit paranoid, but it’s a habit that can make a big difference in terms of minimizing risks. Honestly, it’s not that hard to forget we left something on a stove – there are a lot distractions and things happening in our lives. And it doesn’t take much. On top of that, you should definitely consider getting smoke detectors.
Faulty Wiring
Faulty wiring is one of the most dangerous things that can happen to a building. And the worst part is that they’re quite sneaky. Subtle signs like frequently blown fuses or lights dimming should be a cause for concern. If you notice these, grab your phone and call an electrician as soon as possible. Any electrical fires can be put out with a specialised CO2 fire extinguisher but the whole point here is to not let them break out in the first place.
Heaters
Though less popular nowadays, many still rely on space heaters during colder months. They’re fairly affordable and work great if we need some extra warmth in smaller spaces. No harm in that, as long as precautions are taken. Space heaters, as potential fire hazards, should be kept away from anything flammable – that’s just good sense. If you’re using a furnace or stove, regular checks and carbon monoxide alarms are simply essential for your safety.
Putting Safety First
Fire safety at home should be our top priority. Our homes deserve protection and we can only provide that with quality and properly functioning tools. Let’s also remember about maintenance – regular service is a must, along with routine checks of smoke detectors. These small precautions can make a world of difference in safeguarding our homes and our loved ones.
