Creating a Fire-Safe House | SERVPRO of East Cobb

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged in a house fire, SERVPRO of East Cobb is here to help. Contact us for any fire restoration needs.

The American Red Cross has responded to more than 20,000 house fires since the start of 2022, and that only reflects a portion of the total fires across the United States this year.

Smoke detectors are still the No. 1 way to prevent damage to your home and protect your life, but there are other measures you can take to make your house more fire safe. Even a few simple cleaning measures are an act of prevention.

Clear the Clutter

Clutter may already be a term you hate hearing in your home, so let this be a motivator to clean it up: It can also be a fire hazard. Allowing your hallways, stairwells or utility spaces to overfill can fuel a fire once it has started, as well as block emergency exits.

Leaving clutter near a water heater can actually start a fire. The more you create clear spaces in your home, the better. Clear spaces not only mean you have a clear path to get out when you need it, but they can also slow down the progression of flames.

Another area of the home to declutter is outlets and extension cords. Overloaded extension cords are a common source of house fires. Store any unused electrical appliances, and unplug anything you don’t use on a regular basis.

Make sure there is room between furniture and walls so that outlets do not overheat and air can flow properly.

Create a Defensible Space in Your Yard

Your yard can be the first line of defense when it comes to fires that originate outside the house. Landscaping that is intentionally placed can slow the progression of a fire before it reaches your front door while also allowing space for firefighters to work.

In some states like California, there are regulations for defensible zones due to the effectiveness of slowing down wildfires, but this kind of yard work is smart for every home.

The relatively low humidity, windy and dry conditions we have experienced over the spring kept us under a fire warning for several weeks. We even experienced multiple smoky days as winds brought in wildfire smokes from fires burning in nearby North Georgia. When our summer temperatures rise well into the 90s, we have the additional threat of hot vehicles parked on dry grass starting a fire.

This should all serve as a reminder that we are far from immune to wildfires and we could certainly benefit from caring for our yards. Always clear out dead plants, leaves and limbs. And plant the annuals you want, but plant them in strategic locations that allow for the best protection.

Keep It Clean & Keep It Safe

Clearing clutter from your home and yard are not the only cleaning you can do to help protect your house. Cleaning your stove regularly and having your chimney inspected can eliminate risk in two fire-prone areas of your home as well.

Lowering the risk at your house doesn’t have to be a ton of work. Even dusting is a great way to prevent fires, especially around outlets and other electronics.

Our homes are our sanctuaries and so much more. We work, play and learn at home these days, so keep them safe by keeping them clean.

If you have experienced fire damage or want to learn more about SERVPRO of East Cobb’s fire damage restoration services, contact us today. We’re here to act fast, 24⁄7.