These Home Fire Checklist: Safety Tips for Families is a sponsored post on behalf of ServiceMaster Restore.
Having lived all over the country, I know first hand that natural disaster and emergency situations can pop up anywhere and at any time. Especially when you least expect it.
Each time we moved, we’ve had to assemble a new natural disaster checklist. The snow chains and hand warmers we needed in Colorado, weren’t needed during a hurricane in Florida and the generators necessary after a tornado in Texas weren’t needed during the earthquakes in California.
No matter what weather conditions exist the threat of a home fire is everywhere. Even those living in safe(r) areas, rarely touched by the hand of Mother Nature in terms of weather extremes need to make a Home Fire Checklist for their Family.
Even if the worst happens, your safety and that of your family and pets is your number one priority during a home fire. Make sure to follow this Home Fire Checklist with Safety Tips for Families in the event of a fire from ServiceMaster Restore, the leaders in disaster restoration services.
- Create a family home fire escape plan and take drills to practice what you’ll do in the event of a fire.
- Identify at least two ways you can exit each room in case of a home fire. Invest in fire ladders
if you have houses with more than one story. - Replace batteries in every smoke detector and test them. A good time to remember this is during daylight savings time, twice a year.
- You often think about changing your batteries, but did you know that you should replace smoke detectors every 10 years, or as needed. This is something I didn’t realize and something that I’ll definitely have to remember when visiting elderly relatives.
- Check your fire extinguisher (and buy one if you don’t have one) for corrosion, missing pull-pins, and changes in the pressure gauge. When it’s in good condition, leave it in an easy to find location that the entire family is aware of.
- Don’t overload your outlets. My husband’s computer has four monitors so we divide these among outlets. Make sure you also go easy on your surge protectors.
- Inspect your electrical cords to ensure there are no frays or tears. Replace as needed.
- Never leave a candle burning unattended.
- Before starting a fire in your fireplace, have your chimney inspected and open your damper.
- Turn off your oven when leaving your house. If you have small appliances that could be a fire safety hazard like coffeemakers or curling irons, look into those that have safety features built-in with an automatic shut off which gives added peace of mind.
- Never use a generator or start a fire (including your grill) indoors.
- Take special care when using space heaters.
Are there any other items that you’d add to this Home Fire Checklist? Print a copy of the Home Fire Checklist: Safety Tips for Families here.