October is Fire Prevention Month - Tips to fireproof your home

Fire-proof your home

There are numerous actions you can take to keep your family and home safe from the dangers and damages of fire. I have recommendations for you to consider today.


Detect and protect: Install smoke detectors on every floor of your home. Test them every month and replace batteries annually. The United States Fire Administration says working smoke detectors double the chances of surviving a fire. Also consider a fire alarm system that alerts the fire department when activated or sprinkler system. All of these can help save lives and money.

Location, location, location: When buying or building a home, consider whether it’s located in the proximity of a fire hydrant or other qualified water source and a fire department. This helps extinguish fires faster and lowers homeowners insurance premiums.

Check your wiring: In homes 25 years or older, have a professional check the electrical wiring and make sure it’s capable of handling the electrical voltage used in the home. Many older homes contain fuse systems designed to handle less voltage. Updating electrical wiring to a circuit breaker with at least 100-ampere service can reduce the chance of a fire and lower insurance premiums, too.

Keep the campfire outside: Temperatures in a wood-burning stove can reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of the increased fire and injury risks, many insurance companies charge higher premiums for homes with wood-burning stoves. Dispose of ashes properly in a galvanized metal can. Keep the can away from flammable materials, including your house, wood pile, weeds, etc., until they are completely extinguished.

Home construction considerations: Homes with exterior walls, floors and roofs made out of fire-resistive materials, such as brick, adobe, concrete or tile, decrease the fire risk and may cost less to insure.


Tips for Making your home Safer

•Keep children out of the kitchen when cooking as they might knock over a pan and get hurt.

•Never put a deep fryer on the stove and leave the room. Fat heats up very quickly and can easily catch fire. If it does get too hot never pour water on it, just turn the stove off and leave it to cool down.

•Too many plugs in one socket can start a fire so put one plug in each socket. This is very important for items that use a lot of electricity, such as washing machines, dish washers and electric fires. If you only have one socket get an electrician to put more in for you.

•If a plug starts feeling hot or has black marks on them unplug them from the socket immediately and call an electrician. Do the same thing if you see any loose or broken wires.

•When you finish a cigarette make sure it is really out and never throw it in the waste bin. It is wise to keep a bucket of sand on the porch to put your cigarette butts in, never throw them in the trash can.

•If you are using candles at Christmas, in the bathroom or in a power cut make sure they are firmly set in a holder so they cannot fall over. Never put them anywhere near papers or curtains which can blow in the wind and be very careful if you have put real candles on a Christmas tree.

•Have a fire plan in case of emergency. If your alarm goes off for real you need to know the quickest way out and everyone should know where the door keys and window lock keys are kept.

Bed Time Checks

A lot of fires start at night when many people are asleep so do some checks before you go to bed.

•Close all the inside doors and fire doors as closed doors slow down a fire.

•Unplug things that use electricity but not fridges and freezers.

•Check your cooker is off and also the rings on the hob.

•Do not leave your washing machine or television on at night. A lot of fires start when the TV is left on standby and it overheats.

•Turn heaters off no matter how cold it is and never have a heater close to the bed.

•If you have a coal fire or open wood-burner put a fire guard in front of it.

•Check there are no obstructions blocking the doorway on your escape route, either inside or out .

•Keep a torch handy and put the keys were everyone can find them.

If you do have a fire do not try to put it out yourself, call the fire brigade and make sure everyone gets out safely. If you cannot get out stay together in one room and tell the fire brigade you cannot escape, they will advise you what to do.