Fire Prevention Tips

10/7/2022 (Permalink)

Tips for Fire Prevention

A fire can be devastating. It destroys property and can cause serious injury to you and your loved ones. But if you are proactive, there are steps you can take to help prevent fires from happening in your Minneapolis, MN, home. Here are some of the most common causes of residential fires, as well as tips on what homeowners can do to help reduce their risk for this disaster:

Only use multi-plug outlets and extension cords 

It's important to only use multi-plug outlets and extension cords that are designed to handle the power load needed. Not all extension cords are the same, so it's important to check their ratings before using them with your appliances. You should also make sure that the appliance you're plugging in is rated for use with a heavy-duty extension cord. If you need more power than what can be provided by a standard household outlet, consider using an industrial-grade flathead plug or GFCI-protected circuit breaker.

Always ensure that smoke detectors are installed and working properly.

Smoke detectors are designed to alert you in the event of a fire, but they can't do their job if they aren't working properly. To maximize the effectiveness of your smoke detectors and keep your family safe, follow these tips:

• Check the batteries regularly. Smoke detectors use a small amount of power constantly, so even when they're not sounding an alarm, they need to always have fresh batteries. Make sure you change them every 6 months (or sooner if you know they've been running low).
• Test your detector's battery weekly by pressing the test button on top. Also test it monthly with a smoke stick or candle flame until you learn how long it takes for your detector to go off as this varies from model to model and brand to brand!

Keep flammable items locked away from children.

Keep matches, lighters, and other flammable items out of the reach of children. If you are unable to keep them locked away, consider childproofing the area. Store these items in a locked cabinet or drawer.

Never leave a lit candle unattended even if it's in a holder that looks like it might be able to contain flames—they often don't. Also, avoid smoking in bed or when you're tired as these activities have been proven to increase the risk of a fire breaking out.

It is important for homeowners to understand some of the common causes of house fires, as well as what they can do to help prevent them.

The most common causes of house fires are:

• Cooking and heating equipment
• Electrical wiring, outlets, or appliances
• Careless smoking habits or other acts of negligence

To prevent fires in your home, keep flammable items, including furniture, bedding, and clothing at least three feet away from heat sources. This will help to stop a fire before it gets started. Additionally, keep matches out of the reach of children. If you smoke inside your home, make sure there is no ash on surfaces where they could set something on fire by accident (such as a table). Make sure that all electrical products are installed properly and that there are no exposed wires or damaged plugs/sockets in use anywhere in your house.

The causes of fire are many and varied, but they all have the same result: a house that is no longer safe to live in. In this article, we’ve explored some of the most common causes of house fires, as well as some tips for preventing them. By taking these precautions into account when you’re considering buying a home or making renovations, you can rest assured that your property will be safer from fire damage in the future.