Fire Prevention: Identifying the Hazards Within Your Home

When you think of a home, you think of a sanctuary, a place where you take refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
For most people, a home is somewhere we go to in order for us to feel safe.
Safety however, is relative to a number of things and when it comes to our homes, this means we have to take necessary measures to protect it from being vulnerable to dangers, a good example of which are fires.
An estimated 92% of fires that happen indoors are residential fires.
In the United States alone, there are about 400,000 fires annually, causing close to 15,000 injuries and sadly, 3,000 deaths.
A lot of fires are caused by negligence, so it means that these accidents are highly preventable.
Identifying the hazards within your home and acting accordingly might actually mean the difference between life and death.
Listed below are a number of things to watch out for in order to protect your home from setting ablaze.
- The Kitchen The kitchen is probably the most likely place a fire would begin.
So many heat sources are present so a fire can easily ignite when you are not careful.
Unattended cooking or kitchen appliances that heat up to an unsafe level are obvious fire hazards.
It is also important to keep flammable materials away from ovens or stoves.
- Faulty Appliances Inspect the condition of all your appliances regularly, especially the older models in your home.
Check if the wires are still in good condition.
If they are frayed, worn or over bent, it may be time to replace your wires or the appliance all together.
It is also a good idea to have a maintenance person regularly inspect your appliances to check for any defects that may not be visible to you.
- Extension Cords and Outlets A lot of people rely on extension cords as a long term solution for a lack of power sources and plug in way too many gadgets or appliances.
An overloaded outlet may be a hazard.
A much safer option is to hire an electrician to install electrical receptacles or more outlets.
Also, if you notice the circuit breaker is constantly tripping, this may be a sign that this needs evaluation by a professional.
- Flammable Chemicals Chemicals such as gasoline, paint, oils and pesticides should be stored away safely in a cool dry place and out of reach of children.
They must be kept away from any heat sources as they may explode when they get too hot.
It is important to take note that accidents, as unpredictable as they may be, are ultimately preventable when you are vigilant.
Awareness of all the potential dangers within your home is essential.