Keeping Fire Damage Risk Factors Low

9/15/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Tips to Help Prevent Home Fires

Fires are often easily prevented, but a single crucial mistake can end up costing a victim dearly should a fire start. The initial step in fire prevention is to eliminate risk factors, and different types of fires have different risk factors to go along with them. Keeping these factors mitigated and proper safety measures in place are the most important part in stopping future fire damage to your home, so make sure to account for these risk factors in the future.
 
Lack of a Lightning Rod
Lightning causes many fires each year, and one of the most common sources of fire damage in Nashville is lightning. Although they are not foolproof, having a quality and working lightning rod installed on top of your roof is essential for preventing many lightning strikes from reaching your home. Unfortunately, beyond these, little can be done to avoid fires from storms aside from building with fire-retardant materials.
 
Aging or Water-Based Fire Extinguishers
Small fires are quickly dealt with by a capable fire extinguisher, but having such an extinguisher on hand is unfortunately not true for many American households. While older and water-based fire extinguishers typically work well enough for regular fires, electrical and grease fires require smothering, water-free extinguishers to be put out safely. Make sure your home has capable extinguishers in easy to reach and access locations.
 
Keep Flammable Objects Away from Lights, Candles, and Outlets
Many fires start when paper or other flammable materials are kept too close to a bright light, candle, or an outlet. Should these experience a power surge or heat the paper enough to burn, it can start a fire, often in an unseen and unlikely place. Take care to leave lights and candles unobstructed.
 
Use Surge Protectors
Surge protectors are designed to protect against dangerous power surges. They aren't too expensive, and in addition to preventing some electrical fires, they may also save your electronics in the event of a power surge.
 
SERVPRO of South Nashville knows the ins and outs of fire safety, as we see the unfortunate consequences of a lapse in precaution most time we set out on a restoration job. If you've had a fire damage your home, large or small, call us at (615) 331-0200 for emergency restoration and mitigation services.