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Home Fire Prevention and Safety Tips

Home Fire Prevention & Safety Tips

House fires are a devastating occurrence. Each year, an average of 358,300 homes in the U.S. go up in flames. Fires can destroy a home, cause property damage, leave emotional scars, and upset living quarters. Here are some home fire prevention and safety tips.

Fire Safety Tips

Here are some fire prevention tips to help protect your home from a disaster.

Install smoke alarms. Put them on every level of your home and by sleeping areas. Test them once a month to make sure they are working. Change the batteries twice a year.

Create a family escape plan. You have less than 2 minutes to escape your home safely. Everyone should know two ways out of each room. Decide on a meeting location outside and practice your plan twice a year.

Stay outside. Never go back into a burning home. Once you get outside, stay there, and call for help. Everyone should know how to dial 9-1-1.

Have a communications plan. Each family member should know who to contact if they become separated.

Stop, drop, and roll. Teach family members what to do if their clothes catch on fire.

Home Fire Safety

Here are some fire safety Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind to ensure your home and family stay safe.

Keep items that can catch fire at least three feet away from space heaters. Turn the appliance off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Smoking materials are the leading cause of residential fire deaths in the United States. If you smoke, go outside. Never smoke in bed.

Talk to your kids about the dangers of fire, matches, and lighters. Keep anything flammable out of reach.

Inspect Your Home

You need to keep an eye on important items in your home. Check heating sources to make sure they are clean and working well. Many fires are sparked by poorly maintained furnaces, stoves, or chimneys with creosote buildup.

Inspect the electrical wiring. Fix or replace frayed cords, exposed wires, or loose plugs. Electric outlets should have cover plates and no exposed wiring. Avoid overloading outlets or extension cords.

Preventing Kitchen Fires

Cooking fires are the number one cause of house fires.  Unattended cooking is to blame for 90% of them. Never leave food unattended while it’s cooking. Keep potholders, oven mitts, paper, and other flammable items away from the heat. Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup. Always check the kitchen before bed to make sure the stove and appliances are turned off.

Recovering After a Fire

If you have suffered a house fire, take these steps to get back on your feet.

Find a safe place to stay. If family or friends don’t have room, talk to your local disaster relief agency.

Contact your insurance agent. You’ll need to start a claim to address your immediate needs.

Protect your home. Make sure it’s protected as much as possible from weather and unlawful entry.

Check your pets. Smoke can damage lungs and burns can hide under fur. Bring your pets to the vet for an evaluation.

Get a copy of the fire report. It will be helpful to your insurance company.

Address mental health needs. Adults and children can have difficulty coping with a disaster. Seek support if it’s needed.

Let Us Clean Up the Mess

If your home has suffered water, flood, or fire damage, Flood Department is here to help. We provide repair and clean-up services for homeowners and businesses in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. We are dedicated to helping reverse the damage done by water, mold, sewage, smoke, and more. Contact us at 301-829-2600 or visit us online for more information.

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How to Survive a Flood

How to Survive a Flood

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States. In 2022, the nation saw 19 major flood events and 103 people lost their lives. In 2021, flash flooding and river floods killed 146 people. So far in 2023, at least 32 people have died. If you live in a flood-susceptible area, Here are some tips on how to survive a flood.

Make Preparations

If bad weather is on the way, be prepared to take action. Pay close attention to weather alerts on the radio, television, or your cell phone. A flood watch means a flood is possible in your area. A flood warning means flooding is occurring or will be soon. Be ready to evacuate quickly.

Have an emergency flood survival kit ready to go. It should have at least three days of supplies for each family member. Items should include non-perishable food, a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, portable phone chargers, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a 7-day supply of medications, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene and sanitation items, and copies of important documents.

Make sure your drainage systems are clear of debris. Clogging can lead to flooding and property damage.

Flash Flooding Guidelines

If there’s any chance of flash flooding, move to higher ground immediately. The sheer force and volume of flowing water that can accumulate is extremely dangerous. Flash floods can occur quickly when water overflows from streams and other areas prone to sudden flooding.

If You Are Stuck in a Flood

If a flood warning is issued for your area, prepare to head for higher ground. Move essential items to the upper floor of your home. If told to do so, turn off utilities at the main switches or valves. Unplug electrical appliances. Never touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

Six inches of water is all it takes to sweep you off your feet. Never walk or drive through moving water. People underestimate its force. Always remember to “turn around, don’t drown”. 

Driving in Floods

Half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into flood waters. Turn around and go another way if you come upon high water. If floodwaters rise around your car, get out and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. Six inches of water can stall your vehicle or cause you to lose control. One foot of water will float many vehicles while two feet of rushing water can carry you away.

Trapped in a Vehicle

If you are inside a sinking vehicle, take these steps to help you get out safely.

Don’t panic. Take a deep breath and focus on safely escaping your vehicle.

Unbuckle your seatbelt. Open your window immediately and swim out. Don’t open the door.

Don’t use the car as a floatie. Swim with the flow of the water until you reach higher ground.

Break the window. If it won’t open, use a sharp object, a rock, or your heel to smash it.

Following a Flood

Return home after a flooding event only when authorities say it’s safe. Listen to news reports to learn if the local water supply is ok to drink. Be careful on roads where floodwaters have receded. They may be too weak to hold a vehicle. Stay away from downed power lines. Use extreme caution when entering buildings which could be damaged. Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.

Let Us Clean Up the Mess

If your home has suffered water, flood, or fire damage, or you need a biohazard cleanup, Flood Department is here to help. We provide repair and clean-up services for homeowners and businesses in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. We are dedicated to helping reverse the damage done by water, mold, sewage, smoke, biohazards, and more. Contact us at 301-829-2600 or visit us online for more information.