October is here! While this autumnal month is most commonly associated with tricks and treats, it’s also recognized in both the United States and Canada as Fire Prevention Month. The first week of October has also been designated Fire Prevention Week in both countries. Close to 360,000 home fires occur annually, with many of them being preventable. To make your home fire-safe this year, here’s what you need to know.
Have multiple fire extinguishers at the ready.
A portable fire extinguisher can help stop a fire before it gets out of control. According to the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED), fire extinguishers are successful in extinguishing 95 percent of house fires. Keep one on each level of your house in places where there are lots of appliances, mechanical equipment, or chemicals.
Clean out your dryer’s lint trap.
If it’s been a while since you last cleaned your dryer’s lint trap (or if you never have), start making it a regular habit. Lint fires from backed up dryers account for around 16,000 house fires annually. Just adding this bit of maintenance to your to-do list will protect your home and your family.
Repair your home’s electrical ASAP.
The wiring in your home is one of its largest components. That means there are many places where something can go wrong. Loose outlets and cracked outlet covers create arcs that lead to electrical fires. You especially need to repair broken covers if you have kids or pets to prevent them from reaching into the socket.
Place detectors around your home.
One of the best ways to stay safe from a fire is by having smoke detectors installed in your home. But just having them isn’t enough–you need to ensure that they’re working properly. Working smoke detectors can increase your likelihood of safely escaping a fire by 50 percent. Like with fire extinguishers, place a detector on every floor of your home and wherever there’s an increased chance of a fire starting. Test them once a month to see if they’re in working condition or in need of replacing.
Special Thank you to our friends at National Property Inspections.
