Home & Garden
6 Tips To Protect Your Home From Fire
Taking a few safety precautions now could you save you from experiencing immeasurable losses later.
House fires can have devastating and even deadly consequences. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, residential fires claim the lives of at least 3,000 Americans annually. These losses, while tragic, are a somber reminder of how important it is to take precautions against fire and to have an emergency plan in place at home.
To help protect you and your loved ones, here are six tips to make your home firesafe.
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#1 Install smoke detectors
Properly functioning smoke detectors are the single best defense against fire fatalities. The American Red Cross recommends placing a smoke detector on every floor of your home, inside every bedroom and outside of sleeping areas. The batteries should be tested once a month and replaced at least once a year. To prevent nuisance alarms, vacuum cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.
The National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommend replacing your smoke alarms every 10 years.
#2 Have a fire escape plan
Every family should have a fire escape plan in place and practice twice a year. This plan should include a designated meeting place at a safe distance from the house. In the event of a fire, it's important to get out, stay out and call for help.
#3 Have a fire extinguisher
The American Red Cross recommends having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Only adults should handle and use extinguishers, and they should get training from the fire department or a fire extinguisher manufacturer.
Fire extinguishers should be installed high on the wall (where they're easily accessible to adults but not in-reach of children), near an exit and away from heat sources.
Fire extinguishers will not work if they're not properly charged, so they need to be tested regularly and recharged or replaced as needed. According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, a new fire extinguisher typically costs $100 to $500 and about $30 to $100 to inspect and maintain annually.
#4 Clean your chimney
If you have a fireplace, chimney maintenance is not optional. Routine chimney sweeps — and regular inspections by a professional — are essential to preventing deadly chimney fires as well as carbon monoxide poisoning.
According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the average cost for a professional chimney cleaning is $226.
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#5 Clean the dryer vents
When debris clogs the dryer vent, the exhaust produced backs up and creates a potential fire hazard. Homeowners should be vigilant about emptying the smaller lint trap included with most dyers, but they also need to check that the entire length of the exhaust vent is free of clogs.
Although many homeowners opt to clean dryer vents themselves, it's a time-consuming process that can be difficult to do thoroughly. It's recommended, instead, to call in a dryer exhaust technician that is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. These professionals are familiar with the risks involved and can eliminate existing clogs while helping you prevent future ones.
According to Home Advisor's True Cost Guide, the average cost to have dryer vents professionally cleaned is $129.
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#6 Install a sprinkler system
Installing a residential sprinkler system can be pricey, but it’s often worth the cost. In 2013, the average cost of sprinklers was $1.61 per square foot, according to the Fire Protection Research Foundation. Many homeowners who install in-home sprinklers experience a reduction in their homeowner's insurance premium, along with significant safety benefits.
One study conducted by the National Fire Protection Association between 2002 and 2006 found that houses equipped with both a sprinkler system and smoke alarms experienced 100 percent fewer deaths, 57 percent fewer injuries, and a 32 percent decrease in property damage than houses only equipped with smoke alarms.
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First Photo Credit: Shutterstock
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