7 Residential Fire Safety Tips For All Properties
Fire safety is an essential form of maintenance for all kinds of properties, including residential. Where we live is where we often spend the most time, so keeping this space safe is vital for a healthy lifestyle. While people may be concerned with making their homes attractive and clean, fire safety is just as important and should not be neglected.
Whether you are a homeowner, a landlord or a tenant, you need to ensure that the space you live in is secure. The threat of fire is a major concern for homes, as it can quickly devastate the property and your life without the right protection.
From fire alarms to suppression systems and lifestyle changes, there are several ways you can improve fire safety at home. In this guide, Full Circuit Fire & Security are sharing the top seven residential fire safety tips for homeowners, tenants and landlords to consider to help protect what matters most:
1) Find The Right Fire Alarm
Fire alarms are your first line of defence against fire and therefore an essential tool for residential fire safety. Keeping your home or property protected will be difficult to do without fire alarms, and there are many systems out there to support all needs.
Alarms will trigger at the first sign of fire, whether this is through smoke detectors or heat sensors. Some fire alarm systems are fitted with both, providing a more accurate alert when you need it most.
It is recommended to install fire alarms on every floor of the property to provide effective coverage, including both inside and outside of the bedrooms. As part of your residential fire safety maintenance, ensure that smoke detectors are free of dust and kept clear as this will keep them in prime working order.
Residential fire alarms should be tested monthly and batteries replaced as soon as required to ensure they are fully functional.
2) Create A Fire Escape Plan
A fire escape plan is an essential yet often overlooked element of residential fire safety, especially among homeowners. Landlords should provide their tenants with an approved fire escape plan when they move in, highlighting escape routes and emergency exits during initial tours of the property to ensure they understand what to do in the worst-case scenario.
However, homeowners rarely do this for themselves and this could be disastrous. Creating a fire escape plan will make it easier to deal with an emergency and ensure that your family can evacuate quickly and safely if required.
An escape route should be designed for each room for the highest level of residential fire safety. All members of the family or tenants should be aware of at least two emergency exits from each area and informed of the meeting point outside of the home.
Once you have created a fire escape plan, make sure to test it at different points in the day, including at night, to ensure that everyone knows how to behave during an emergency.
3) Practice Electrical Safety In Every Room
Electrical fires are a major threat to residential properties these days, as a lot of our lives revolve around electronics. With an increase in electrical use and outlets being used at every hour of the day, the risk of electrical fires is major.
This is why electrical safety is such a vital part of residential fire safety and even the smallest habitual changes can make a big difference. For example, avoid overloading electric outlets and plug sockets as this is a huge risk of fire.
While you may have a lot of devices that need to be powered at the same time, avoid using the same plugs and overusing extension cables as they can easily overheat and catch fire. To ensure residential fire safety, only use one high-energy appliance in each outlet, such as microwaves or heaters.
If you do need to use extension cables or power strips, it is recommended to opt for those with internal power surge protection and overload circuits, as they will cut off if they begin to overheat. You should never daisy-chain power cables together – running out of space on a power cord is a sign that you are already at risk of an electrical fire and should be reduced, not added to.
To maintain residential fire safety, you should ensure ongoing electrical safety which requires vigilance. This means paying attention to electrical issues, such as flickering lights, usually warm outlets or burning smells, so they can be rectified immediately. If you do notice any of these signs, seek professional support.
If you do have fire extinguishers in your home, make sure they can be used for electrical fires.
4) Safe Cooking And Kitchen Practices
Another major risk of residential fires comes from the kitchen, as there are multiple fire hazards present in this one room. From cooking oils to high temperatures, the kitchen requires ongoing residential fire safety practices due to the ongoing threats this space can hold.
If a grease fire does occur in the kitchen, you should never use water on it – instead, smother the flames using a metal lid or use an appropriate fire extinguisher. Landlords should provide fire extinguishers in the kitchens and cooking areas of their properties for this reason.
Performing residential fire safety practices when cooking can go a long way in keeping your home safe, such as keeping the cooking area clear of flammable materials. This means moving any towels, paper, or curtains away from cooking equipment and high temperatures, as these can quickly catch flames.
Ensure that appliances are cleaned after use to prevent the build-up of grease which can lead to fires and quick spreading of flames.
5) Staying Warm And Safe
Heating equipment, if used incorrectly, is another major threat to residential fire safety. Much like with the kitchen and electrical safety, remaining vigilant is a key component to residential fire safety in this area.
This includes keeping the area around space heaters and similar heating devices clear. Never cover up heating equipment and keep them away from flammable materials, including paper and textiles. It is also recommended to only use space heaters and corded heated equipment on stable, secure grounds. Inform pets and children to keep away from the heater, and make sure it is not in danger of falling over.
In terms of central heating and residential fire safety, these systems need to be regularly inspected by professionals to ensure they are functioning efficiently and safely.
For homes with fireplaces and wood burners, protective screens should be used to catch sparks or rolling logs to prevent the spread of flames during use. Chimneys should be cleaned annually to ensure they are clear and ashes should be removed after each use of the fire, and disposed of outside of the home in a metal container.
6) Set The Mood Without Setting A Fire
Decorative lights and candles can be a great way to make your home cosy, but they can also be fire hazards if not used safely.
To maintain residential fire safety, ensure that no candles, like any other open flame, are left unattended. Landlords can limit the use of candles in their properties to reduce this particular fire hazard.
Decorative lights, such as fairy lights or lanterns, should be regularly inspected for frays or damage as these could cause electrical fires. Make sure that these lights are turned off before leaving the home or going to sleep to prevent overheating.
7) Educate All Household Members On Residential Fire Safety
Residential fire safety is a collective effort, and everyone has to get involved. As the head of the household or the landlord, ensure that every member of the household understands the importance of residential fire safety and how to take care of their property to reduce the risk of fire.
Implement ongoing fire safety practices throughout the home; ensure that everyone understands the escape plan and can identify emergency exits. Children also need to be informed of fire safety and should be educated on the best practices within their homes.
By making residential fire safety a part of daily life, you can ensure that your home is always a safe space to live.
Conclusion
Residential fire safety requires a range of practices and methods to maintain. From properly installed fire alarms to regular fire drills and ongoing education, keeping your home safe is a collective effort that the whole family can get behind.
For additional support regarding fire safety or professional installations, reach out to the team today.
