Not every hero wears a cape, so plan and practice your escape in case of a home fire. Fire Prevention Week (October 6-12) is an excellent time to educate everyone in your home and in your life on how they can keep themselves safe from home fires.
In a typical home, you may have as little as one to two minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm goes off. In less than 30 seconds a small flame can become a major fire. Here are a few things you can do during Fire Prevention Week to keep your home and family safe .
Plan Your Home Escape
If a fire occurs, you and everyone in your home needs to know how to get out quickly and safely. Draw a map of your home, showing every door and window. Know at least two ways to get out of your home in case one escape route is blocked. Talk to your children in kid-friendly terms so they understand the escape routes and what they should do if there’s a fire.
Have a Fire Drill
Local schools and some businesses plan routine fire drills so they know everyone else knows what to do and how to leave safely in case of a fire. You can plan a fire drill for your home. Let your family, especially small children, know to expect it so it’s not a complete surprise. This will be your opportunity to discover if everyone knows the safe route out and knows where to meet in front of your home.
Check Your Smoke Alarms
You should test and change the batteries in your smoke alarm every six months. If you don’t remember the last time you did it, Fire Prevention Week is a good time to start. Make sure your smoke alarm is in good working condition and has fully charged batteries. When in doubt, replace the alarm with a newer version that you feel confident works.
Make Sure You Have a Fire Extinguisher
Every kitchen should have a fire extinguisher. If you have a fireplace, you need one in that room as well. It doesn’t take long for a small blaze to get out of control. If you can stop a fire in its tracks, that’s always the best option. Make sure everyone knows how to use it and what to do if a fire occurs in the kitchen or near your fireplace.
Check Your Heating Before Winter Arrives
Cold weather will be here before we know it, and it will finally be time to turn on your heater. Have your HVAC system serviced to make sure it’s in good working condition and all electrical components are safe. If you use space heaters during the winter, keep them three feet away from furniture, drapery, and other household items. Keeps pets and children away from space heaters while they’re in use, and never leave a heater unattended.
Update Your Home Insurance Policy
Even with plenty of preparation, a fire can still occur. Your home insurance policy limits should be enough to rebuild your entire home if necessary. As building materials and replacement costs increase, it’s important to make sure your insurance policy limit keeps pace. Contact Charlotte Insurance today to make sure you have enough insurance in case a fire destroys everything.
We hope you never experience a devastating home fire, but if you do, we’re here to help make sure you and your family are covered.