When you purchase a home, one of the first things you’ll want to do is protect it. You might think of doing things like changing the locks, or setting up a new security system, but have you considered protecting your home from fire?
Home fires can be devastating, and can rob you of both your belongings and your life. Make sure that you’re prepared for any accidents by keeping matches, lighters, and candles out of the reach of children, practicing safety in the kitchen and around electrical outlets, and following these steps as soon as you move into your new home!
Update Smoke Alarms
The first step in safeguarding your new home from fire is checking the smoke detectors. There may be some in the home leftover from the last owners, but you’ll want to test them all yourself. Change the batteries, test them, and make sure that there is at least one smoke detector on each floor. If there is any doubt whatsoever about the state of the smoke alarms, then purchase all-new ones.
This is also a great time to make sure your electric wiring is up to snuff, lowering the risk of electrical fires.
Buy New Fire Extinguishers
How long has it been since you updated your fire extinguisher? Check the expiration date, and if you haven’t purchased a new one in a while, consider investing in a new one. Like with smoke alarms, it’s really best to have one for each floor.
Have A Fire Escape Plan
Do each of your family members know what to do in case of a fire? Now that you’ve moved into a new home, it’s a perfect opportunity to have a chat with each of them about what they would do in a fire situation. Make sure everyone, from little ones to adults, know how they will escape each room if trapped in it by a fire, and are educated in basic fire safety (stop, drop, and roll, etc).
The best fire safety is fire prevention! Use common sense, make sure you always burn candles within eyesight, and keep your stove clean and free of debris, and follow these three tips, and your new home will last you for years to come.