Fire Safety Tips

While fire-damaged property in Texas and Oklahoma can be restored to pre-disaster conditions by LMS Restoration, it’s always better to keep fire from happening in the first place. It’s actually not that hard to do. By following a few safety tips and exercising due diligence, the chance of fire damaging your household or business can be dramatically reduced.

Prevention

• Have your electrical system regularly inspected – Faulty electrical wiring is one of the most common starters of fire worldwide. Over time, the rubber or plastic insulation on your property’s electrical system tends to wear out, exposing the live copper fibers that conduct electricity. This can happen in areas that you can’t easily see, creating hidden fire hazards that can catch you off guard. To mitigate the risks of electrical fires, have an electrician come in at least once every 3 years to perform an inspection on your wiring. The electrician will then give recommendations on what needs to be fixed or replaced based on a standard assessment procedure.
• Avoid overloading power outlets and extensions – Using extensions to supply power to parts of your home or workplace where there are no sockets is fine as long as you do it for a short term. If you want to plug in multiple appliances to an outlet in these areas permanently, have an electrician install new outlets. Using extensions heavily can overload the original power source and start a fire. Extension cords are also prone to damage which exposes the live copper wires inside. Traffic from footsteps, the movement of appliances and gnawing from vermin can all flake off some of the cables’ insulation and create a fire hazard.
• Avoid Using nails, rivets and staples to hold wires in place – It’s a good practice to have wires running  near walls so people and pets don’t step on them or trip over them. However, doing it with nails, rivets and staples can create fire safety issues. The rubber or plastic coating on the wires could be damaged, creating a potential ignition point. When setting up wirings, use tape, wood or plastic placeholders.

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• Watch out for power outlets that heat up quickly – If you notice a power outlet in your property that gets hot fast when you plug something into it, turn off the circuit breaker to the area where it’s located and call an electrician for an inspection. This is a serious fire hazard, so act quickly as soon as you discover it.
• Unplug appliances that will not be used for a long time – If you’re not going to use an appliance or gadget for a long while, unplugging it lets you save energy while reducing the risks of fires. This applies to times when you’ll be out of the house for an entire day or if you’ll be away on vacation. Refrigerators are the only possible exception because they need to run continuously and they’re one of the least fire-prone appliances in a household.
• Avoid cramming electric blankets into tight spaces – Electric blankets are great for providing extra warmth and comfort in the colder months, but reckless use can turn them into potential fire starters. After getting out of bed, make sure the electric blanket is powered off. Fold it and avoid keeping it in tight spaces. In the off-chance that the power is left running and the blanket is tucked into a corner, the heating element can raise the temperature enough to ignite the fabric and start a fire.
• Keep combustibles away from stoves and fireplaces – Stovetops and classic wood fireplaces create open flames that can start fires if you’re not careful. Keep curtains and other fabrics away from them at all costs. Make sure your stove is kept a safe distance away from open windows to make sure wind doesn’t come in and blow the flames into close contact with nearby combustibles. Similarly, keep rugs and carpets away from classic fireplaces to ensure your safety.
• Install Smoke Detectors – Buying and installing smoke detectors is one of the best safety investments you can make. Smoke detectors are small electronic devices that emit a loud, high-pitched sound when they detect smoke. They’re small enough to carry by hand individually and setting them up in key parts of a home or office is a snap. These devices can make a difference between life and death.
• Have fire extinguishers ready – US building and home safety regulations require homes and businesses to have fire extinguishers in stock just in case a fire gets started. Comply with these regulations and make sure to replace used and old fire extinguishers. The carbon dioxide in modern fire extinguishers is much better suited in putting out flames than water. They’re also much safer to use if you’re dealing with electrical and liquid fuel fires.

Preparation

Giving people basic knowledge on what to do in the event of a fire is crucial in minimizing property damage and loss of human lives. Misinformation and panic have been proven to worsen the situation while practical knowledge and presence of mind can be extremely valuable. Here are a few tips on preparing for a fire emergency.

• Educate children on fire safety – Children are naturally curious. Educate them about the hazards of fire and never leave them unattended near burning candles or turned-on stoves. Visit a fire station and have a talk about the dangers of fire. This helps children develop a sense of respect towards fire and what it can do. You can then transition the conversation on how kids can contribute to household or school fire safety efforts.
• Show everyone where the fire exits are – Even when you’ve properly labelled fire exits, you still have the responsibility of telling people in your household or workplace where to head over in case a fire breaks out. Signs and labels are good, but when people are in a state of panic, there’s a good chance they’ll miss them. Make sure everyone is shown the fire exits and how to open them in the event of an emergency.
• Make sure every adult knows where the fire extinguishers are – Fire extinguishers should be strategically placed where they can easily be found and accessed when they’re needed. Make sure they’re highly visible and that everyone is familiar with where they’re stored. Extinguishers are usually easier to find in workplaces, but in homes they could be stored in inconspicuous cabinets or drawers. Make sure each member of your family who’s old enough to handle and use one is aware of where the fire extinguishers are.
• Conduct a fire drill at least once a year – Knowing what to do and actually doing it aren't always easy in the face of danger. Fire safety experts know that, so they recommend having fire drills at least once a year to inform and remind people about what to do in case a fire happens at home or in a place of business. Knowing how to exit the building calmly, navigating the fire escape routes, finding fire extinguishers and regrouping outside the structure should all be part of your fire drill.

Fire Damage Restoration Services from LMS Restoration

If a part of your property is damaged by fire, you’ll want to have it restored to the way it was before the disaster happened. LMS Restoration specializes in returning your property to excellent condition. Once the fire is out, you can call us to schedule a free inspection and cost estimate of the restoration project. We guarantee to complete the job with the least amount of downtime possible. We’ll also help you file a successful insurance claim to just about any insurance company in the states of Texas and Oklahoma. Call us at 903-229-4846 or leave a message in our Contact Us page. Our professional and friendly representatives are ready to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.