HOW TO PREVENT HOME FIRES

I came across this useful article in a local newspaper.  To me, these tips are very useful and worth keeping in mind especially during the typhoon season in the Philippines.  Or if you are living outside the Philippines, these tips are also surely helpful in keeping your homes and families safe.  

It said that largely, home fires are something that can be prevented.  Here are some safety precautions that can prevent a fire in your home.  And if you are quite friendly with your neighbor, it is worth sharing these tips with them:

Many fires break out in the kitchen. Always keep an eye on what you are cooking sot hat food does not ignite or splatters from the stove do not cause fires.  Keep kitchen towers or oven mitts away from the stove.

May people do not know that fires can start from lint trapped in dryer vents.  While it is important to empty lint trap after eachload, it is equally important to check the actual vent and tubing for trapped lint.  this should be done every 6 moths to a year.

Faulty electricial wiring is a leading cause of house fires. Have a professional electrician check the wiring in your house and replace any, if needed, to prevent a fire.  Also, do not overload outlets.  This is something often done during the HOLIDAYS when lights and decorations are plugged into extension cords.

Keep drapes and other cords away from radiators, baseboards or electric heaters.  Do not leave electric heaters on unattended. (This last one is applicable only in houses other than the Philippines).

Regularly clean and maintain fireplace chimneys.  Creosote buildup in the chimney can ignite and cause a fire.

Do not leave candles burning overnight or when you are out of a room or the house.  Candles are a large contributor to home fires. Today, they make candles with real wax that have an LED light in the middle to simulate a flame.  These can be safer if you're weary about candle use.

Keep a FIRE EXTINGUISHER charged and on each floor of the house, especially one close to your stove.

Routinely check the battery life of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.

Develop a fire safety plan with your family, highlighting the safest exists and where to meet should a fire break out in the home.

Do NOT store pains, newspapers, rags or other chemical materials next to a home's furnace or heating system.

Never use the kitchen stove as a source of heat.

Replace old or faulty appliances promptly.  Watch foods in toaster ovens which are notorious for igniting greasy foods if not properly cleaned and maintained.

Don't sit down or lie down when smoking.  Standing up will usually prevent you from falling asleep while smoking.  Getting too tired? Put out the cigarette thoroughly in an ashtray or water-damp sink and go to bed.  Cleaning out the ash tray? Place the ashes in the sink and dampen them then scoop them up and place them in the trash can away from the house.

Do not pile up lawn clipping near a building.  Fermenting lawn clippings can create heat and catch on fire.  Barn fires start this way from bales or hay with no electricity.  Some house fires have been started from a pile of lawn clippings.

Confine pets when you are away from home to prevent them from chewing on electrical cords.

Keep matches away from small children.  Some small kids have a tendency to play or experiment with matches.  Educating them of the danger of playing with matches  is important.

And the most important of all, common sense and being safety-conscious is the best prevention to avoid home fires to keep your family safe!