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Does Your Family Know Fire Safety Basics? | SERVPRO® of East Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

In the United States, more than 350,000 house fires happen every year, adding up to over $5.5 billion in property damage. Beyond the financial loss, these fires also lead to nearly 3,000 lives lost and another 10,000 injuries.

When it comes to fires, the best defense for your family is to prepare in advance. Hence, it is important for every person to understand how to prevent fires and how to respond if one occurs.

Teach your kids fire safety early by sharing basic fire safety guidelines. Let’s also take a look at three more fire safety practices you can practice as a family:

Can You Spot Fire Hazards?

Go through your home. You might be surprised how many fire hazards you spot! Take some time and go through every room and your home’s outdoor space to uncover any potential hazards.

  • Ensure your appliances are in good shape.
  • Check that electrical cords are in workable condition.
  • Do not overload outlets and/or extension cords.
  • Check to make sure you are using the correct wattage of light bulbs.
  • Double-check that electrical wiring is not covered up by rugs or carpet.
Practice Fire Safety in the Kitchen

Kitchen fires are the biggest contributor of home fires. That’s why it’s important to exercise caution when cooking.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with basic cooking safety:

  • Don’t cook if you are tired or distracted.
  • Do not leave kids and teens unattended when they cook.
  • Keeping a lid at hand when cooking on the stove in case of a grease fire is a good idea. If a small grease fire occurs, the lid can be used to smother the fire.
  • If a fire occurs in the oven, turn the oven off and keep the door shut.
  • If the kitchen fire is spreading, leave the room and close the door.
Create and Practice a Fire Plan

In the event of a fire, every person in the family must understand what to do—including how to get out of the house and where to go once they’re out.

But don’t just create a plan, practice it!

We’ve all heard the saying, “practice makes perfect.” Regular practice of the plan with your family makes everyone more likely to remember how to respond in the event of a fire.

If your family has experienced a fire and needs help restoring your home, SERVPRO® of East Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch can help! Give us call to learn about our fire restoration services and what we can do for you.