9 Good Habits To Prevent Fire Damage At Home

Every year, hundreds of lives and millions of properties in the United States, and in all other parts of the world, are taken by fire. Data also shows that most of these cases begin at home, brought about by clear-cut instances of negligence.

Fire prevention can be really simple and should begin where it usually starts - at home. Here are 9 good habits that you must practice so you can prevent fire damage at home.

1. Be wary when smoking. A huge percentage of residential fires and fire damage around the world are caused by bad smoking habits. Make sure that when you smoke, you throw your cigarette butts in an ashtray or tin can. Never throw cigarette butts while they are still lighted or throw them in trash cans that contain papers or other flammable materials. Likewise, do not throw lighted cigarettes on your lawn or garden because they might come in contact with dry grasses or leaves. Lastly, make sure that you don't leave any lighted cigarette before sleeping.

2. Check your electrical wirings regularly. If your house is quite old, you should check your electrical system on a regular basis. Old electrical components and wirings can't efficiently handle high voltages, especially if you turn on several electrical appliances. You should also check for faulty wirings as these are the most common causes of fires and fire damage. Change damaged and old wirings, outlets and fuses.

3. Fireproof your kitchen. Combustible materials like clothes, rags, paper towels and table napkins should be placed nowhere near the stoves or even microwaves. Even without direct contact with fire, these can initiate flame when exposed to heat for a long period. Also, do not leave the kitchen when you are cooking. Set the stoves and microwaves to the right amount of heat according to what you are cooking to avoid overheating.

4. Store your flammable materials properly. If you have a storage room, separate items like clothes and papers from flammable materials like paint, thinners and kerosene. Much better if you will store these items in area that is away from the source of heat.

5. Plug your appliances properly. Do not use extension cords on refrigerators and other electrical appliances that are plugged for long hours. Also, avoid using extension cords to plug too many appliances on a single outlet. Have a circuit breaker at home for added safety.

6. Never place draperies near heaters or fireplaces. Hanging draperies near the heater or fireplace can result to fire damage. Even a gentle wind can blow it near the fire. Clothes can also catch fire when exposed too long to heaters.

7. Watch out for flammable fabrics. Read the label of every cloth and bedding you buy. Avoid buying clothes or any items with "flammable" warning tags. It is risky wearing them near fire.

8. Keep flammables away from children's reach. If you have matches, lighters, gasoline and kerosene inside your house, be sure to store them in an area where your children can't access. Children are very curious and they might set things ablaze out of curiosity.

9. Always have fire extinguisher at home. Fire extinguishers can put out a small fire. When used immediately, it can prevent extensive fire damage.

Having these good fire prevention habits do not mean we are completely spared from experiencing fire damage, but it would definitely lead us some steps toward a fireproofed home. Keep in mind that it is better to prevent fire and fire damage than to try to stop it when it has already started.

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