Fire Safety Tips For The Home
with
Debbie Anderson
A devastating fire is a homeowner's worst nightmare. But you can prepare yourself and your family in case the unthinkable occurs. Check out these fire safety tips.
Transcript: Fire Safety Tips For The Home
Hi, I'm Debbie Anderson for About.com. According to the 2006 statistics on the U.S. Fire Administration's website, 81 percent of civilian fire-related deaths happened in the home.So today, I'm going to show you a few tips on how to prepare you and your family for potential fires in the home, should the unimaginable occur.
Check the Smoke Alarms
The key to preparing is to make sure that you have everything in place before a fire happens.Double-check that smoke alarms are placed high on the wall or on the ceiling near bedrooms and on every level of the home. Test the batteries every month and remember to replace the batteries at least once a year.
Keep a Fire Extinguisher in the Home
Although only a few states now require fire extinguishers in the home, it is highly recommended that you keep a Residential ABC Class fire extinguisher near the kitchen in an easily accessible location.If you have pets, place an emergency sticker near the front door so fire crews know to rescue your pets.
Develop and Practice a Fire Exit Plan
Should a fire break out in the home, develop and practice a fire escape plan. This can be done by drawing out a floor plan of your home and marking where the doors and windows are located for each room. Create two exit plans for each room in the house.When developing your fire escape plan, note where you might need an emergency escape ladder and where it is located.
If you live in an urban area and have a lock on your window like this one, also make note if there are windows or doors that need a key to escape in the event of an emergency.
Post the Fire Exit Plan
Once you have completed your plan, keep a copy of the fire escape plan on the refrigerator or near the phone with emergency phone numbers.This way each person in the home knows where to go in the event of a fire, and be able to mark on the plan where everybody will meet up outside of the home once everybody has escaped the house.
File Important Papers in a Fire-Proof Safe
Finally, because you will need a place to go after the fire, always remember to place important documents and insurance papers inside a fireproof safe.With a few simple tips for fire preparation and planning, fire safety can be as easy as ABC.
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