National Fire Prevention Week – October 8-14
When it comes to home ownership, one thing that all owners fear is a fire. A destructive fire can cause the loss of valued possessions, loss of pets, or, as the very worst case scenario, loss of life. It almost doesn’t bear thinking about. However, to not think about it is to not be prepared for such a devastating event. In this case, preparation is your best friend. That’s why October 8-14 is such an important week. It’s National Fire Prevention Week!
Tips to Prevent a House Fire
Although no one is completely safe from a house fire, there are things that you can do to help prevent it. What is the most important? Well, if you have any kind of fire burning appliance, having your chimney inspected and cleaned on a regular basis is vital! What’s just an important? Using a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney sweep, like the ones that work at Chim Cheroo Chimney Service. They have the knowledge and experience to make sure that the creosote level in your chimney is at a low level. In doing this, it helps ensure that no fire risk exists. They’ll also remove all obstructions that could catch a spark and cause a chimney fire. These include things like bird’s nests, dried twigs or leaves, or garbage that may have blown into your chimney.
There are other things that you can do to help prevent fire spreading if you have a fireplace. Some things are fairly obvious! Keep all flammable items like cushions, blankets, toys, books, and magazines away from the immediate area of the fireplace. Even still, there are other things that you can do. One of these is to make sure to clean out the ashes from your fires on a regular basis. Ash levels should be kept to a level of an inch or less. Additionally, using dryer firewood will cause a cleaner burn, and that means less creosote buildup in your chimney.
Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher next to your fireplace; fire extinguishers should also be kept on every level of your home, outside of bedrooms, and in the kitchen. Also, make sure that the batteries are good in your smoke and fire detectors. You can do this by checking them every month and changing them at least once a year.
Plan an Escape Route
Even if you do all these things, there’s no 100% guarantee that you can avoid a house fire. Therefore, make a plan for your family to follow in case there is a fire! This is so everyone is aware of escape routes from every room in the house. Practice getting out of the house if there were a fire on a regular basis. Most importantly, set a place to meet so that you can be sure that everyone is out of the house if there was an actual fire.
Plan to Set Your Mind at Ease
Set a goal to use National Fire Prevention Week as a date to make sure that your house is as safe as you can make it. You’ll rest easy knowing that your family will be kept safe if the worst happens. There’s nothing better than being prepared!