How to Prevent House Fires: 7 Effective Tips

9/1/2021 (Permalink)

Tallahassee building in downtown Tallahassee on fire

How to Prevent House Fires: 7 Effective Tips

Houses fires are extremely dangerous and damaging. If you want to know how to prevent house fires, you should check out our seven tips right here.

It only takes 30 seconds for a small flame to become a full-blown house fire.

House fires can be incredibly destructive if you do not know how to prevent them from occurring and spreading. Not only do house fires destroy homes and belongings, but they are also responsible for more than 3,000 injuries in America per year.

Taking the proper precautions can prevent this from happening.

Keep reading to learn how to prevent house fires from occurring in your home.

1. How to Prevent House Fires in the Kitchen

One of the main causes of house fires is the kitchen.

This is unsurprising, considering that kitchens contain several fire hazards that, left unattended, can quickly cause a house fire.

Here are some precautions you can take to prevent a house fire from occurring in the kitchen:

• Make sure flammable items are kept away from the oven, stove, and any other sources of heat
• Do not leave pots and pans on the stove unattended when cooking
• Keep cooking appliances clean of food splatter and grease

2. Maintain Your Outlets and Wires

Overloaded outlets and exposed wires are also common causes of house fires.

You can prevent house fires by making sure not to overload your outlets and to keep an eye out for discoloration or heat radiation. If either occurs, you should shut off the power to that outlet and replace it immediately.

Keeping an eye out for frayed and exposed wires is also helpful in preventing house fires. If you see a wire that is frayed and exposed, it is best to replace it as soon as possible. You should also avoid covering and pinching wires with rugs or furniture.

3. Keeping Appliances Away from Fire Hazards

Making sure your appliances do not overheat is helpful in house fire prevention. This can be done by unplugging your appliances when they are not being used.

It is also beneficial to make sure that appliances, such as space heaters, have adequate safety features and are at least three feet away from anything that could potentially catch fire, like furniture and curtains.

4. Keeping an Eye on Candles and Fireplaces

Never leave a candle or fireplace unattended in a room.

You can prevent house fires by making sure no flammable objects are near a lit candle or fireplace.

Some other ways you can prevent a house fire are:

• Using a secure candle holder that is tip-proof
• Blowing out candles whenever you leave a room
• Installing a spark screen or glass door in your fireplace
• Burning only seasoned wood in your fireplace
• Cleaning and repairing your chimney

5. Smoking and Cigarette Disposal

One thing that causes house fires is smoking cigarettes without taking the appropriate precautions.

Proper cigarette disposal is key in house fire prevention. To properly dispose of cigarette butts, you can use an ashtray or a smokers' pole. You soak cigarette butts in water before tossing them in the trash.

Smoking inside your house should be avoided, but if you do decide to smoke indoors, make sure to take these precautions:

• Be a minimum of 25 feet away from any doors
• Do not smoke near anything flammable, especially flammable liquids and fumes
• Do not smoke in bed
• Do not smoke in your house if medical oxygen is in use

6. Be Aware of What Is Flammable in Your Home

Knowing what is and is not flammable is essential for knowing how to prevent house fires.

Some common flammable household items are dryer lint, potting soil, fertilizer, paint, and gasoline.

To reduce the risk of a house fire, you can regularly clean your dryer filter, keep potting soil and fertilizer in a cool area, and keep pain and gasoline in their original containers. 

7. Items to Prevent Fires

There are a variety of house fire prevention products you can buy.

Using a smoke alarm can more than double your chances of surviving a house fire. You can also buy fire extinguishers and a flame-retardant mattress cover to prevent house fires.

These items can help you prevent house fires from occurring and spreading.

Preventing House Fires

House fires can be incredibly dangerous and destructive, but by using these house fire prevention tips, you can reduce the risk of a house fire occurring in your home.

If you want to learn more about how to prevent house fires, contact us today to see how we can help.