HOME FIRE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

Winter is fast approaching and with that comes the fire season.  Just knowing that candle fires are 4 times more likely to occur during winter holidays is valuable information.  This knowledge may prompt homeowners to use flameless candles and tart burners instead of burning candles during the holidays.  It may encourage adults not to leave a room with a burning candle or display candles too close to flammable decor, especially live Christmas trees.  Special precautions should be used in homes with children, as candles become even more of a fire hazard when they are present. 

As insurance representatives, our first thought is often the impact fires may have on our company.  Anyone who has ever experienced a fire in their home will tell you it was possibly the scariest event of their life.  A home fire, large or small, can be devastating.  It's more than a house, our family memories are woven in those walls. We stand the chance to lose precious mementos of our life; our mother's bible, family pictures, and family heirlooms. If not properly insured, the financial impact can be devastating as well.

According to the American Red Cross, there are 7 ways to prevent/prepare for a home fire.

 They are:

  • INSTALL PROPER NUMBER OF SMOKE ALARMS. TEST THEM MONTHLY AND REPLACE BATTERIES ONCE PER YEAR.  
  • PRACTICE ESCAPING FROM YOUR HOME AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR.
  • TEACH CHILDREN WHAT A SMOKE ALARM SOUNDS LIKE AND WHAT TO DO IF THEY HEAR IT.
  • MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS HOW TO CALL 9-1-1.
  • ENSURE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS KNOW 2 WAYS TO ESCAPE EVERY ROOM OF YOUR HOME AND KNOW MEETING SPOT OUTSIDE.
  • TEACH FAMILY MEMBERS TO STOP, DROP AND ROLL IF THEIR CLOTHES SHOULD CATCH FIRE.
  • ESTABLISH A FAMILY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION PLAN.
       

 

Often-times homeowners keep putting off getting a plan in place.  Sometimes they don't know where to start.  If we just test our smoke alarms monthly we can better our chances of survival and potentially minimize damage to our home should a fire occur.  It's imperative should a fire occur, all family members know to GET OUT, STAY OUT, and CALL FOR HELP.  No matter how minimal a fire may seem, it is never safe to reenter a burning structure.

Sharing fire safety information and articles with your company's policyholders may assist them in fire prevention, or at least lessen the devastation should a home fire occur.

Click here to access the article written by the American Red Cross.