A fire detector is essential in any home or business. But when it comes to fire safety and prevention, it’s only one step in the right direction. Taking a few measures toward fire prevention in your home or business protects your home and family, or work space and employees. Read on for our room-by-room guidelines. Some may seem obvious, but believe us, it’s easy to forget about fire safety when life gets busy.
Kitchen:
- Cooking fires are the leading cause of all home fires and injuries. Multitasking is a part of our lives, but be sure to keep your focus in the kitchen.
- Never leave an open flame unattended stove-top.
- Keep flammable items including oven mitts and food packaging away from heat sources.
- Set a timer to remind you when something needs to come out of the oven.
- Make sure your work spaces are free of grease and other debris that could catch fire.
Bedroom:
- Avoid overloading your outlets, or maxing-out an extension cord. This can cause overheating and spark an electrical fire.
- Don’t run cords or cables under carpeting. This puts them at risk of being frayed or damaged, which makes them a fire hazard.
- Keep lamps and night-lights away from bedding, curtains, clothing, and other fabric.
- Blow out candles before dozing off, or leaving the room.
- Keep candles, lighting, and other heat sources away from oxygen tanks, if it is used, since oxygen can be explosive.
Bathroom:
- Keep hair dryers, straighteners, electric shavers, and other appliances away from sinks, tubs, and toilets.
- Don’t ignore blown fuses, a sign that you could be overburdening a particular outlet. Have an electrician ensure that the outlet is equipped to meet your needs.
- Replace appliances with frayed or damaged wires — they can put you at risk for shock or fire.
- Keep light fixtures covered to prevent damage or breakdown that can lead to fire.
- If you keep candles in the bathroom, be sure to keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach (or, better yet, ditch the candles entirely).
Living Room or Office Space:
- Keep flammable or combustible objects at least three feet from space heaters, and never keep a space heater somewhere it could be knocked over by passersby.
- Pay attention to flickering lights. They often signify a greater electrical problem, and should be inspected by a licensed electrician.
- Insist that smokers take their cigarettes outside, and properly dispose of their cigarettes in sand or water.
- Make family or coworkers aware of your fire exit plan, in case of emergency.
- Keep spark screens in front of fireplaces, and never leave a fire unattended.
Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re well-protected. If you need assistance keeping your home or business fire safe, we’re always here to help.
