Whether you own or rent your home, you don’t want to see it go up in smoke. We keep our most cherished possessions in our houses, and a fire can wipe them out in an instant. Fortunately, there are several helpful ways to protect your home from fire that can keep you, your family, and your belongings safe.
Check Smoke Detectors
Having smoke detectors installed throughout your home is a great way to be aware of any potential fire and give you time to escape and alert the fire department. You should go around the house at least once a month to ensure that all your detectors are still working and replace the batteries if necessary. Smoke detectors may not do much to prevent a fire, but they can alert you to one and help keep everybody safe.
Examine Your Electrical Panel
One helpful way to protect your home from fire is to examine your electrical panel and check your wiring. Electrical fires are among the most common causes of household fires, and faulty wiring or a broken panel may be the spark that ignites it. You may be in greater danger if you spot a Federal Pacific electrical panel. These panels, typically found in older homes, are a common cause of house fires. If you rent your home, we suggest bringing this up to your landlord and seeing if they’re willing to upgrade to a safer system.
Charge Your Extinguishers
Having a fire extinguisher in your home makes it easier to put out small fires and get them under control. However, we don’t recommend trying to use a household extinguisher on a larger blaze. Instead, have at least one fully-charged fire extinguisher on every floor of your house. The most common places to store your extinguishers are where fires are more likely, such as in the kitchen or near your circuit breakers. Remember to recharge your fire extinguisher after each use, even if you didn’t fully empty it.