Fire safety in the home is an important part of keeping your family safe. There are many simple practices that can be adopted to help reduce the risk of a fire occurring. These include installing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, never leaving candles or open flames unattended, keeping matches and lighters away from children, avoiding overloaded electrical outlets, cleaning dryer vents regularly, and storing flammable materials away from heat sources. Additionally, checking electrical cords for fraying and cracking, unplugging appliances when not in use, and having an emergency exit plan in place can also help protect your home and family from the dangers of fire. Practicing these 20 fire safety practices can help reduce the risk of fire in the home and keep your family safe.
1. Develop and Practice a Home Fire Escape Plan: Develop an escape plan in case of a fire and practice it with your family frequently so that it becomes second nature.
2. Purchase and Install Smoke Alarms with Fresh Batteries: Place smoke alarms on every level of your home and remember to check them once a month to ensure they are working properly.
3. Make Sure You Know How to Use Fire Extinguishers: Everyone in your home should learn how to use a fire extinguisher and where it is located.
4. Keep Fireplace Flue Open: Ensure the flue of your fireplace is open before lighting a fire.
5. Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets: Do not overload electrical outlets, which can lead to increased risk of fire.
6. Do Not Leave Candles Unattended: Candles should always be kept away from combustible materials and never left unattended.
7. Keep Matches and Lighters Out of Reach of Children: By remembering to keep matches and lighters away from kids, you can avoid potentially dangerous unintentional fires.
8. Store Flammable Liquids in a Sturdy, Metal Container: Any flammable liquids should be kept in a safe, metal container that is kept away from heat sources.
9. Practice Caution When Operating Gas Appliances: Keep an eye on any gas appliances that are in use and make sure to turn them off before leaving your home or when you retire for the night.
10. Test Fire Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: To ensure these emergency devices are working properly, always test them once a month.
11. Avoid Overloading Extension Cords: Extension cords should not be overloaded, which can cause a fire hazard.
12. Avoid Overdone Cooking and Keep an Eye on Food Cooking: Avoid leaving cooking food unattended and make sure to keep an eye on anything cooking.
13. Install Window Screens and Use Non Combustible Cooking Materials: Make sure to install window screens and only use non-combustible materials when cooking in order to avoid a potential fire.
14. Declutter: Keeping your home clutter-free minimises the chances of a fire starting.
15. Unplug Appliances When Not in Use: Unplugging any unused appliances can help to reduce the risk of a fire.
16. Check Appliances Before Retiring for the Night: Before you retire for the evening, make sure to check if any of your appliances are on.
17. Know Your Local Fire Station: Before an emergency strikes, make sure you have the contact information of your local fire station, so you are always able to reach out in an emergency.
18. Do Not Use Appliances With Loose Electrical Wires: If you detect any loose electrical wires on any of your home’s appliances, make sure to have it repaired immediately, as it can cause a fire hazard.
19. Utilise Fire-Resistant Materials in Your Home: Try to use fire-resistant materials for building or renovating your home, and always keep them to up date.
20. Install at least One Carbon Monoxide Detector: Carbon monoxide can be an odourless, silent killer. Install at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home to help alarm you in the event of a CO leak.
Ensure the safety of your home and family by developing and practicing a home fire escape plan, installing smoke alarms with fresh batteries, learning how to use a fire extinguisher, keeping the fireplace flue open, not overloading electrical outlets, keeping matches and lighters away from children, storing flammable liquids safely, exercising caution with gas appliances, testing fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, avoiding overloading extension cords, unplugging appliances when not in use, knowing your local fire station, using fire-resistant materials, and installing at least one carbon monoxide detector.
