Tips on Guarding Your Home Against Fires

According to the 2015 Report of the Texas Fire Incident Reporting System (TexFIRS), there were 8,635 recorded fire incidents in Texas in 2014. Fire is a serious matter and everyone is involved in keeping each of their homes safe from this force of nature.
Fire Alarm Houston has compiled the following tips in order to help you protect your home from fires:

Alarms:
Homeowners need to invest in fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. There should be one carbon monoxide alarm for each level of the house while fire alarms need to be installed on every level and bedroom of the house. The alarms need to be checked monthly and their batteries need to be replaced annually. Carbon monoxide alarms need to be replaced every 6 years and smoke alarms every 9 years.
Appliances:
Make sure that all wires and cords are in good condition. Wires and cords must be laid out properly. There shouldn’t be any cords running under rugs.
Avoid using octopus connections. As much as possible, keep a one to one correspondence between plugs and appliances.
Cooking and Heating:
Never leave kitchens, fireplaces, and grills alone when there is an active fire. Make sure that the immediate vicinities of cooking and heating sources are free of flammable items. For example, wooden furniture should be kept away from fireplaces. Always clean stoves, fireplaces, and grills. Ashes from fireplaces and grills need to be kept at least 3 feet away from flammable items. Stoves and fireplaces need to have vents leading outside.
Heating systems need to be checked by technicians annually.

Smoking and Candles:
Ashtrays and candle containers should be made of fireproof materials that are not easily tipped over. Never leave candles lighted if there are no adults in the room and never leave candles alone with pets and kids. Smokers need to do their smoking outside the home. Dispose of the ash in fire-proof containers. Keep matches and lighters out of the hands of children.
Fire Escape Plans:
Make sure that there are two ways to get out of every bedroom. Keep fire extinguishers on every level of the house and instruct family members on how to use them. Teach family members to crawl when they see smoke. Instruct family members never to come back for anything once they are safe. Set a meeting point. Practice fire escape drills often.

For a more robust fire protection system in the greater Houston area, please rely on Fire Alarm Houston. We offer robust fire alarm systems, detection systems, active fire monitoring, and commercial fire alarm systems. If you need to speak to an expert for guidance, you can get in touch with us at our 832-626-7837 number and through the contact form on this page.

Fire Alarm Houston is your first line of defense against fires.

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