Ways to prevent/minimize a fire damage to your property

6/4/2018 (Permalink)

Home fire in Burley, ID

Here are a few interesting statistics about smoke alarms brought to you by the National Fire protection Association.

• In 2009-2013, smoke alarms sounded in more than half (53%) of the home fires reported to U.S. fire departments.

• Three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

• No smoke alarms were present in more than one-third (38%) of the home fire deaths.

• One of every five (21%) of the home fire deaths, smoke alarms were present but did not sound.

• In reported home fires in which the smoke alarms were present but did not operate, almost half (46%) of the smoke alarms had missing or disconnected batteries. Nuisance alarms were the leading reason for disconnected smoke alarms.

Below are a few simple precautions you can take around your home to prevent and/or minimize a fire in your home or business.

• The single most important preventive measure a homeowner can take is installing and maintaining smoke/carbon monoxide alarms throughout the home.
• Working smoke alarms should be found in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
• Change the batteries in smoke/carbon monoxide alarms changed regularly. (A good time to do so is when the time changes in the spring and fall.)
• Make sure you have an accessible fire extinguisher on each level of your home and be sure everyone in the house knows how to properly extinguish a blaze.
• Reduce the risk of fire outside of the home by removing dying or dead trees and shrubs and by also keeping drybrush and debris at least 30 feet away from the home.
• Keep gutters, roof, and eaves clear of debris?
• Be sure any candles in the home are placed away from curtains and other furniture, as well as out of reach of children and pets.

If you find yourself in need of fire damage cleanup call the professionals at SERVPRO of Twin Falls & Jerome Counties.