In 2018 there were a staggering 363,000 house fires in the United States. The combined fallout of these fires resulted in 11,200 injuries, 2,720 deaths, and an estimated $8.0 billion in property damage.
If you want to keep your home and family from becoming part of these statistics, it pays to invest in house fire prevention strategies. With a bit of effort and forethought, you can reduce your risk and improve your home’s safety.
Read on to learn how to prevent house fires from damaging your home.
Removing Fire Hazards From Dangerous Areas
Our homes are full of seemingly innocent fire hazards. Kitchen towels laying near stoves and candles burning near curtains can easily set your house ablaze.
Here are a few ways to remove common fire hazards from your house today:
- Clean your furnace filters often
- Clean your oven and stovetop of grease and food debris
- Don’t leave paper or linens near open flames or heat sources (stoves, candles, heaters, etc.)
- Clean your clothes dryer filter and ductwork
- Store flammable liquids (cleaning chemicals, gasoline, etc.) outdoors in a cool, protected location
- Install a protective screen in front of your fireplace
- Never leave children or pets unattended around fire or heat sources
- Avoid smoking indoors
Along with these measures, keeping your smoke detectors in good condition and having a fire extinguisher at the ready will help you get a fire under control if one does start.
How to Prevent House Fires From Electrical Accidents
Not all fires start from open flames—many of them begin with electricity.
Frayed or faulty cords and wires from chargers and appliances can spark and generate heat. If they’re near flammable material, like carpet, they can start a massive fire in minutes.
Making sure that your electronics and wiring adhere to good fire safety practices is the best way to avoid electrical fires. Throw out any damaged cords or power strips and replace them with new ones.
Ways to Prevent House Fires Outdoors
After reading this far, you may be asking yourself, “This is great for stopping fires indoors, but how can I prevent a house fire from starting outside my house?”
If you live in an area that’s prone to wildfires or other natural disasters, you can’t keep your home 100% safe from external threats. Even so, removing flammable items from your yard can help to keep you safe.
Start by clearing any dead or dried brush from the area around your house. If you have a brush pile, keep it as far away from your home as possible. Trim any dead tree limbs or branches that hang over your roof or power lines.
It’s also best to keep any open fires, like grills or campfires, away from your home and dried plant material. Don’t burn things or use fireworks during times of drought or high heat.
Follow These House Fire Prevention Tips to Keep Your Home Safe
Learning how to prevent house fires is as simple as knowing how to spot and fix common fire hazards on your property. By investing a bit of time and energy now, you can keep your home and it’s residents safe in the future.
Looking for more DIY ways to improve your home’s safety? If so, read through the other articles on our site for more advice.
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