A house fire. Something we all hope to never experience but a possibility we all must be prepared for. In today’s blog we will show you 3 ways to increase your chances to survive a house fire.
Have A Plan
It is important that every family have a plan in place in case of a fire. It is vital that this plan is understood by each individual in the home and practiced at least once a year.
When creating your plan, you should consider the following:
- All rooms in your house should have two means of escaping. Discuss these different routes to everyone in the home.
- Upper floor windows should have hook-on fire escape ladders or rope ladders
- Assign a child to an adult in the home to be responsible for aiding the child in their efforts to leave the house.
- Have practice fire drills every 3-4 months.
- Make sure all members of your family know how to call 911 and give the address.
Prepare Your Home
Living in a home that is properly prepared to notify your family in case of a fire, is one of the most important steps in surviving a home fire. Most home fires occur in the kitchen while cooking and are the leading cause of injuries from fire.
Prevent home fires by:
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food.
- Properly discard cigarettes- avoiding smoking in your home is an even safer option
- Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately
- Avoid running cords under rugs or furniture
- Use electrical extension cords wisely, never overload extension cords or wall sockets
- Inspect and clean wood stove pipes and chimneys annually
- Use a fireplace screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace
- Never use the range or oven to heat your home
- Check smoke detectors twice a year to ensure they are working properly
Take Action!
If a fire occurs in your home while it is occupied, there are some simple steps to take that can make all the difference.
1. React as soon as you hear your smoke alarm go off
Don’t stop to collect any valuables. Your only concern should be getting yourself, your family and your pets out of the home safely.
2. Safely exit through doors.
Using the back of your hand feel the door for heat and look for smoke coming under the door. If you see smoke or feel heat, keep the door closed and find another way out
3. Protect yourself from smoke inhalation.
Get low to the floor and crouch or crawl on your hands and knees to avoid the smoke. Smoke inhalation can cause people to become disoriented and even render them unconscious. You can use a shirt or rag to cover your nose and mouth if you have time.
4. Get out and stay out!
Under no circumstance should you or your family members go back inside once the family has escaped the home. Call 911 if you haven’t already and allow them to take care of the home. Once you have exited the home, stay far back in case of explosion or any further issues.
How AmeriClean Can Help!
At AmeriClean, we understand how a fire can impact your life. We know that restoring a home and its contents to their pre-loss condition as quickly and completely as possible is a first step in recovering from a fire. With many years of experience and a staff of dedicated, caring professionals, AmeriClean has helped thousands of families return to their homes happy and renewed.
Read more about our Fire Restoration services by clicking the link below.
https://americleaninc.com/restoration/fire/
About AmeriClean, Inc.
AmeriClean, Inc was established in 1986 by Bob Eriks in a small warehouse as a provider of Fire Damage Restoration for Northwest Indiana. Fast forward to today and AmeriClean’s services include Carpet, Upholstery, Air Duct, Area Rug, Ceramic Tile Cleaning; as well as: Water Damage Restoration, Fire Damage Restoration and Mold Remediation. With 30 years of experience, AmeriClean, Inc. is now a leading name in residential and commercial properties for cleaning and restoration needs. For more information, visit our website or call 800.654.9101.
