Did you know that a house fire is one of the country’s leading causes of death? Though fire safety regulations have been steadily improving over the last few decades, and more attention is being paid to this danger, there are steps that you must take as a homeowner to keep your family safe from a fire. Here are 7 ways to assess the fire risk of your home:

1) Does your home have fire alarms and smoke detectors? Are they in working order? When was the last time you changed the batteries? Though local regulations about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors vary, any homeowner who cares about their safety should install them. These alarms won’t stop a fire from starting, but they will alert you to its presence, giving you time to get out safely.

2) Do you have fire extinguishers in your home? You should have extinguishers in key areas of the home, including the kitchen, garage, and bedroom, as these are the three most common areas where fires start in the house. If you don’t have them, don’t know how to use them, or don’t know how old they are, it’s time for new fire extinguishers.

3) Do you follow kitchen safety guidelines? Do you ever leave a pot unattended on a stove, or allow your kids or teens to cook unsupervised? Do you know what to do if kitchen grease catches on fire? Though you probably don’t think about these things when you’re in your kitchen every day, they are guidelines you should consider to prevent kitchen fires.

4) Is the wiring in your home up to code? In old homes, particularly, wiring is one of the most common causes of house fires. Faulty wiring – whether it’s old, not built to code, or installed incorrectly – should be fixed immediately to ensure the safety of your family and your home. If in doubt, have it inspected.

5) Do you have enough potential exits? Escaping from a burning building might mean exiting through a window or another exit not commonly used. Are these areas blocked by furniture? Can you easily get to the ground from the exit, or do you need fire ladders? These ladders are stored in a roll, and attach to the window frame, unrolling to provide an escape in the event of a fire.

6) Do you have a way to alert fire responders about who lives in your home? There are stickers available to post on your window that will alert fire rescuers to the presence of children, disabled relatives, or pets living in the home. These stickers make it much easier for fire responders to do their job and get your family out safely.

7) Is your home built to withstand a fire? Thoroughly check new construction for fire safety. Whether you are having your house remodeled or are buying a new home, ask these critical questions before moving in.The wiring, materials, and construction methods must be built to code, strong enough to withstand easily catching on fire.

Though you probably don’t want to think about a fire burning down everything you own, the possibility does exist. That is why it is so important for you to take these steps to reduce your risk of a house fire, and to keep your family as safe as possible if a fire does start.

Author Bio: Resist Attack has a full range of TASER devices to keep you and your family safe. Also check our expandable baton specials

Category: Advice
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