How Your Household Can Prepare for a House Fire

12/5/2019 (Permalink)

Though a house fire is something most individuals would rather not consider, it is important to prepare for them to keep the members of your household safe. 

Many people overestimate how much time they will have to escape a house fire, but experts warn that the average person only have two minutes to evade the flames. Because of this narrow time frame and the extreme dangers associated with a lack of preparedness, having a house fire plan in place is key.

How to Prepare for a Household Fire

Follow Guidelines for Smoke Alarms

When a fire starts, your smoke alarms are the first line of defense meaning that it is essential that they are operational and can be heard from anywhere in the home. The National Fire Protection Association has several guidelines for smoke alarm installation regarding where to install them and how often to test and replace them to help keep your household fire-safe. 

Create a Fire Escape Plan (and Practice It) 

While many households have a fire escape plan in place, fewer than half have actually taken the time to practice it. It is important to create a fire escape plan that includes two exits out of every room and allows all family members to escape in under two minutes. Practice the escape plan at least every six months, going over different fire scenarios and designating an outdoor meeting place where household members can touch base once they have escaped. 

Know What to Do After a Fire

The aftermath of a fire can be emotionally draining and cause individuals to experience a lot of stress as they work to reclaim their home and belongings. Making a plan for the aftermath of the fire- such as designating a temporary place to stay, keeping important home documents off-site for recovery and knowing which restoration company to work with to get cleanup started right away- will make the recovery process much smoother for individuals who have suffered from a house fire.

If you have suffered from a house fire, we are here to help! Call SERVPRO of Piscataway at 732-752-4445 to report your damage and begin the restoration process immediately.