Posted by Fire Safety | Posted in Fire Safety Tips | Posted on 29-12-2008
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Camping and campfires go hand in hand. It is difficult to imagine going camping without building a fire to roast marshmallows over and to tell ghost stories around. Without proper safety etiquette, your campfire could turn your camping trip into a disaster.
Choosing a Safe Location For Your Campfire
Most commercial campgrounds already have preexisting fire rings to use. Unless the fire ring is in a dangerous spot, you should build your fire there. The campground owners have likely already deemed this as a safe location to build a fire. The fire ring will help contain sparks and prevent your fire from spreading.
If your campsite does not have a fire ring, you will need to create one. First find a spot that meets these criteria:
- downwind at least 5 feet away from your tent and firewood
- away from trees, bushes, logs, stumps and overhanging branches
- away from dry grass and forest debris
- away from any other flammable items
If your campsite does have a fire ring already, check if it meets the above criteria too. The landscape around your campsite could have changed since the fire ring was initially built. There might now be a branch that overhangs the current fire ring.
Preparing Your Campfire Area
Once you have chosen where to build your campfire, you need to ensure that the area is completely clear of anything that could ignite. It is best to clear the ground right down to the soil within about 5 feet of your fire pit. Surrounding twigs and dry leaves could easily catch fire from a wayward spark.
Next dig a shallow pit about 2 feet across and encircle this pit with a ring of medium sized rocks. These rocks should be placed snuggly together without any gaps where sparks could fly through. Remove any small, loose stones from the pit that could potentially explode from the fire’s heat.
Before you begin building your campfire, make sure you have equipment on hand to extinguish your fire. You will need a large bucket of water and a shovel. Keep these things close enough to your fire pit that they are quickly accessible in an emergency. If the ground around your campsite is too hard to shovel, also keep a bucket of sand or dirt nearby.
Safely Igniting Your Campfire
Avoid using lighter fluid or other chemicals to start your fire. These fuels are dangerous to use in the wilderness. They can unexpectedly flare up and catch your clothing on fire. Instead just use a lighter or match to ignite your kindling. Do not discard any used matches until they are cool to the touch.
It can be tempting to build a large bonfire instead of a reasonably sized campfire. Resist the temptation and put safety first. A large fire will emit more potentially hazardous sparks. These sparks from a large fire are capable to drifting further away than sparks from a small fire. Also it can be much more difficult to extinguish a large fire.
Maintaining a Safe Campfire
While your campfire is burning, never leave it unattended! Despite other safety precautions, your campfire could spread from your fire pit. You need to be around to ensure your campfire doesn’t spread.
Be careful of what you burn in your campfire. Try to stick to manageable pieces of firewood that easily fit within your fire pit. It is not a good idea to burn large logs that stick out past your fire pit. Also avoid burning fresh branches that give off excess sparks.
Properly Extinguishing Your Campfire
Before you go to sleep or when you leave the campsite, you must fully extinguish your campfire. First, douse the flames by pouring water on the fire. You are not done yet though. Just because you can’t see flames, it does not mean the fire cannot reignite itself. There are usually still hot embers that will continue smoldering for hours. To deal with the embers, stir the coals and add more water. Then cover the coals with dirt or sand.
Conclusion
It is far too easy for a campfire to spread becoming a forest fire. When you are camping, it is your responsibility to protect the forest from your campfire. Follow these simple campfire safety rules and use your common sense. Sometimes it simply is not safe to have a campfire at all. If the forest is too dry and forest fire danger is high, there is often a ban on campfires. Respect these bans as they are for your own safety. Strong winds make for dangerous campfire conditions too. So use your own judgment if necessary. Do what you can to protect our forests.
Check out Taiga Works for a wide variety of camping equipment, including goose down sleeping bags and Gore-Tex rain gear. Buy quality outdoor gear at discount prices.
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Posted by Fire Safety | Posted in Fire Safety Tips | Posted on 28-12-2008
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Camping without a campfire is not camping at all. Late night conversations and games around the camp fire and marshmallow roasting are essential for a pleasant camping experience. However, you ought to be aware of the fact that camping with a campfire is not just all fun. Such entails a certain degree of responsibility. If you are planning to put up a camp fire and/or if you are planning to cook during camping, you should be well aware of some fire safety tips.
a. Choose a camp site which has a camp fire pit. This will ensure you that you will be capable of controlling your camp fire. If there is no fire pit, set up your own. However, you should be careful not to place the fire pit near your camping tent.
b. Keep your camp fire away from the nearby bushes, trees, and other flammable materials. Make sure that your fire pit materials are well organized. Place your campfire materials in a place far from the actual fire pit.
c. When you set up a camp fire, make sure that you put the camp fire materials in its right order. This can help you make sure that there will be no flying debris once you light up your fire. Put the light materials first such as paper or dried leaves. Then, put the wood and dried twigs. Lastly, make sure that you place boundaries of stone and pebbles around the camp fire pit.
d. When you set your camp fire, make sure that they are low. Keep it away from bushes, dried leaves, trees, automobiles, and your camping tent. Put out the fire by the time specified by the campground management staff.
e. Never burn plastics and other toxic materials. Such will disturb your neighboring campground guests. It will also significantly pollute the air and promote the risk for fire spreads.
f. Do not use lighter fluid every time you attempt to light your camp fire. Use it only when all other fire making options fail. Note that lighter fluid is regarded as a fire hazard.
g. Once your camp fire is all set, do not leave the flame unattended. Before you leave your camp site or before you go to bed, make sure that your camp fire is completely out. Leaving fire unattended poses high risks for forest fires and the like.
h. When you cook barbecue and other camp foods, make sure that the fire is far away from your trailer, your camping tent, sleeping bags, and other camping gears. When camping, it will be best if you will not use grills that are attached to trailers.
i. Do not let one of your inexperienced companions do the cooking for you. If ever you must, make sure that you watch them carefully and provide them with guidance. Before you start cooking using propane or gas stoves, you will have to make sure that the camp site area is quite ventilated. Also, never forget to bring your very own fire extinguishers and teach your companions how to use such in times of emergency.
Benedict Yossarian recommends Springfields Army Surplus Store for all your camping needs.
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Posted by Fire Safety | Posted in Fire Safety Tips | Posted on 27-12-2008
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Outdoor summer living, almost by default, includes gathering around a fire. Especially at the cabin or cottage.
Sadly, every year, largely through carelessness and lack of simple preparation, campfires become symbols of tragedy for some instead of good times.
The glow and warmth of an outdoor fire seems to inspire sharing stories and song. It’s a delightful way to spend time with family and friends. And as we head into early autumn, a fire wards off the chill of the evening.
Basic Safety for Campfires — A Matter of Common Sense
It is sometimes said that common sense isn’t as common as it should be! Unfortunately, with fire that is often the case.
“It’s all too easy to be so focused on the fun aspects of the campfire that the all-important safety aspects go by the wayside.” says Kim Thornton, from Rustic-Lodge-Lifestyle.com. “The last thing you want is to find yourself facing the destructive force of fire.”
Here is a list of things to keep in mind for safe and accident-free campfires:
1. Keep adequate water close at hand.
You need water to extinguish your fire at the end of the evening, but you should also have water or sand handy to put out any errant fires caused by burning embers. A hose is best, but full buckets will do. Keep a spade or shovel handy as well.
2. Determine in advance who will put the fire out.
Make it that person’s responsibility to remain at the fire until it is completely out.
Its easy, late at night, for everyone to leave as the air gets chilly without a thought to ensuring the fire is out. Perhaps alcohol was consumed which could lead to fuzzy thinking. If nobody has the specific responsibility to thoroughly extinguish the fire, it might not get done. The risk then, is that a breeze could easily fan what appears on the surface to be a dead fire.
Many devastating fires have started from a campfire that was not completely extinguished. Douse and stir many times, and check for any heat radiating from the fire pit.
3. Keep children away from the fire.
Children love to run and play… it’s what they do! It’s all too easy for a child to trip and fall. If that happens to be into a fire, the damage is instant, severe, and tragic.
Draw a line, make a ring of stones, or use some other marking method to create a buffer zone 3 feet (1 meter) out from the fire and instruct children that they are not allowed to cross it unless they are with an adult. And never leave children alone at a fire.
4. Check for fire bans in your area.
During extremely dry periods, many counties and regions implement temporary fire bans for safety.
5. Check surrounding area for combustible materials.
Is the ground cover around your fire pit combustible such as dry grass? Clear a minimum 10 foot circle around the fire pit.
6. Are there trees nearby?
Are there trees overhead or nearby that could catch a burning ember? If so, find another spot for your fire.
7. What’s the weather forecast?
Never start a fire when it’s windy. Burning embers can be carried a great distance and start a fire beyond your reach to put it out.
Is there wind in the forecast that could spread any remaining embers from your fire after everyone has retired for the night? If so, rethink having a campfire.
8. Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids not intended for fire starting.
Gasoline and its fumes are highly flammable! Many people have suffered severe burns from an explosion when gas was used to light a fire. Some newspaper and dry kindling are best.
9. Don’t let the fire get too large.
Keep your fire to a manageable size and within the confines of your fire pit.
10. Have a flashlight by the fire.
After dark, when the fire is out, you’ll appreciate having the light to put out the fire and to find your way to bed.
An out-of-control fire is an incredibly powerful and destructive force! It can devastate your home or cabin, burn down forests, and destroy natural habitat and wildlife.
By following these simple, but very important safety considerations you can ensure your campfires leave only good memories behind!
(c) 2008 Thornton Holdings Ltd.
Kim Thornton is the creator of http://www.rustic-lodge-lifestyle.com … a complete online resource for rustic lodge decor and lifestyle! For more about fire safety, safety supplies, and fire accessories, visit http://www.rustic-lodge-lifestyle.com/fire.html
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Posted by Fire Safety | Posted in Fire Safety Tips | Posted on 26-12-2008
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Picture yourself watching once of your favorite Christmas movies for a moment. Can you see the Christmas stockings hanging from the fireplace mantel? Fireplaces, stockings and the holiday season just seem to fit together, but are you giving thought to staying safe by the fire? Here are some fireplace safety tips just for the Christmas season.
1. When Santa Claus comes sliding down your chimney, will it be clean? Be sure you have a chimney sweep every year and stay safe. Chimney fires are a major cause of all home fires and in most cases, could be prevented with a simple cleaning.
2. Christmas trees and fireplaces must be kept separated. Nothing like the Christmas tree catching fire to ruin the holiday spirit. This tip also goes for space heaters as well.
3. Keep the Christmas stockings dry, but not burnt. Make sure you take down the stockings before lighting a fire in the fireplace. Yes, it may seem too obvious, but you would be surprised at how many fires are started this way.
4. Holiday candles on the fireplace mantel are another issue to be aware of. Be sure you have them enclosed in glass to protect everything from the flames.
5. Keep the tinsel and garland from hanging over the mantel and away from the fire.
6. Use the fireplace screen to prevent sparks and burning embers from popping out. A simple spark can easily create a disaster.
7. Watch out for the kids. The Christmas season is such a wonderful time of year for the kids and they love to be around the fireplace and all of the ornaments. Be sure to keep them safely away from the fire.
Fireplaces and the Christmas season are a great time of year. Be sure that you and your family stay happy and safe by following these simple fireplace safety tips.
By the way, you can learn more about Fireplace Safety as well as much more information on all types of fireplaces and fireplace accessories at http://www.FireplacesA-z.com
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Posted by Fire Safety | Posted in Fire Safety Tips | Posted on 25-12-2008
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Most homes look and feel cozier when they have a fireplace, especially a workable one that the owners use on occasion. But even an attractive fixture of this type can be dangerous if it is not managed correctly or safely. If you have recently purchased a home that has a fireplace, find and read maintenance guidelines to make sure your fireplace continues to be a source of pleasure rather than pain.
When taking possession of your home, ask the previous owner about the condition of the fireplace. Find out whether it was used, and if so, how often. Inquire as to whether there were problems with the fireplace, and if the chimney ever needed or received any type of repairs. It also would be a good idea to ask if there had been any problems with a fire starting from the fireplace or if carbon monoxide levels were checked. Once you have this information, you will have a better idea of what needs to be done.
Get the chimney inspected. Even if the past owners confirmed that the fireplace was in good working order, an annual checkup is advisable to make sure the flue remains operational, and that creosote has not built up to dangerous levels. Besides, small animals like birds, squirrels, and bats can build nests in the chimney at any time, and severe weather can take an unexpected toll, so a yearly inspection is a good idea.
Learn how to start, maintain, and put out fireplace flames. Keep the necessary materials on hand, like kindling wood and a lighter. Do not burn just any kind of materials in the fireplace, as some, like aerosol containers, may explode while others may release toxic substances.
Keep the right equipment on hand. You will want to put up a screen to keep sparks from darting onto the floor or nearby furniture. A poker will let you stir the embers to check for embers. You will need a shovel and a small dustpan to remove ashes, as well as a bin for firewood. Don’t forget to keep a fire extinguisher on hand, and know how to use it. Teach family members what to do in case the flame should get out of control. Install a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector in the room to pick up early levels of problem fumes or smoke. Without the necessary items, you could run the risk of letting a fire spread into the room.
Never leave a fireplace flame unattended. Someone should stay in the room or be in and out frequently to monitor its burning. Otherwise, if a problem occurs, it could spread quickly without adequate supervision. Make sure the fire has burned out before leaving the house or going to bed. Don’t close the flue until the fire is completely out, or the house could fill with smoke or carbon monoxide.
A fire in your hearth is a beautiful sight, but it is important to learn how to tend it properly. Get the necessary guidelines and equipment before burning logs in your home fireplace.
For more information on fireplace safety tips, Visit The Fireplace Directory
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Posted by Fire Safety | Posted in Fire Safety Tips | Posted on 24-12-2008
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No, we’re not talking about a collapsed soufflé or overdone pot roast. We mean actual risks to life and limb. When it comes to safety in the kitchen, what should you really be paying attention to? Learn how to avoid a disaster by following these simple kitchen safety tips.
Kitchen Safety Tip #1: Keep a Fire Extinguisher Handy
Most house fires start in the kitchen, especially grease fires. You can avoid this danger by keeping your oven and stove top clean. Unfortunately, accidents can still happen. If you experience a grease fire:
* If your stove catches on fire, turn off the burners or oven, if you can.
* Most importantly, NEVER pour water on a grease fire. Water just moves the grease around, aggravating your grease fire.
* Instead, use a lid or larger pan to cover the grease fire. You can also use baking soda or salt on small grease fires. And you can smother an oven fire by keeping the door closed. Of course, a kitchen fire extinguisher is better. Always use the dry, multipurpose type rated for class A, B and C fires, and check it periodically to make sure it’s fully charged.
* If the fire won’t die or begins to spread, call the fire department and get to safety immediately.
* Not all kitchen fires start when you’re present, so change the batteries in your smoke detector annually, and get a new smoke detector every 10 years.
Kitchen Safety Tip #2: Pay Attention to Handles, Utensils and Sleeves
Always turn pan handles inward toward the center of your stove when you’re cooking. Store utensils in a handy place, so you don’t have to reach across hot burners to grab a spatula to flip a burger or stir a pot. Avoid wearing long, loose sleeves that hang over burners and might catch on handles.
Kitchen Safety Tip #3: Enforce Safety Rules in the Kitchen
Your kitchen is not a playground. While you won’t want to banish your children entirely, it’s always good to take a look at your kitchen from their point of view. Are handles dangling close to highchairs?
Are burner knobs accessible? Even placemats can be hazardous: They will easily scatter cutlery and break glass when pulled on. Older kids can be just as problematic as toddlers, because of their inattention and tendency to dash through rooms.
To maximize safety in the kitchen, supervise your children. If your kids aren’t helping out with tasks that teach them age-appropriate kitchen skills safely, they may belong elsewhere.
Kitchen Safety Tip #4: Treat Sharp Items with Respect
Keep sharp blades out of reach when they’re not in use. Store your knives properly, in knife guards or a butcher block. Never leave knives in a sink full of water, where children, pets or someone washing dishes may encounter them unexpectedly.
Use cutting boards so knives don’t accidentally skid off the counter. Sharp knives cut smoothly and predictably. Get a knife sharpener and use it. And whenever possible, use higher-quality cutlery, because it is less prone to bend or snap. And when it comes to the whirling blades of the disposal, food processor or blender, be cautious. Never reach inside, and always unplug if possible immediately after use.
For more home safety tips or a homeowners insurance policy quote that can protect your home in the event of an accident like a grease fire, visit Nationwide.com.
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
Posted by Fire Safety | Posted in Fire Safety Tips | Posted on 23-12-2008
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Every home has electricity flowing through it and normally safe however, if you have young children or are planning to do work on you home, you must make sure you have some basic electrical safety training and electrical safety rules. Electricity is a part of modern society however without the proper precautions electricity can kill very easily. This article will give you some very basic electrical safety tips.
Small children love to learn by exploring and touching. Parents and caregivers must diligently remove any electrical hazards in their home and keep their children safe. First remove or repair any loose electrical lines. If you have loose electrical sockets or frayed wires protruding from the wall, you should have the issues fixed by a trained electrician. You can easily find one on the Internet. Also, replace any frayed power cords on electrical appliances you use. In some cases you can have a frayed power cord repaired but you should also consider replacing the appliance completely.
After any electrical wiring issues in your home have been repaired, take some time to learn about electricity and what to do in the case of an emergency. When there are small children in your home you must know what to do in the case of an electrical emergency. Purchase a training DVD that will explain electrical safety in an easy to understand detail. If learning from a DVD is not for you, some communities offer electrical safety training for free through the electrical power company. The goal of learning about electrical safety is to not become an expert in electricity or electrical repair but to gain enough knowledge to be able to react in an emergency.
Now that you have training and the most pressing electrical hazards in your house resolved. Start childproofing your home. Cover all electrical sockets with plastic electrical socket covers to prevent your child from poking items into the sockets. Be sure that the covers you choose to use cannot be removed easily by your children and are large enough that they are not a choking hazard.
Finally, prepare for the possibility of an electrical fire by purchasing a fire extinguisher specially designed for electrical fires. Water should never be used on an electrical fire because the water has the potential to cause the fire to spread. Knowing about electrical safety means being prepared for the possibility of an electrical fire by purchasing a chemical fire extinguisher and checking the charge on your extinguisher yearly.
While chances are you will never need to use your electrical safety training or use your fire extinguisher the knowledge of electrical safety tips in the home is vital to protecting your children. Take the time to take electricity and electrical safety rule serious and your house will be happy and healthy for years to come.
Learn more about electricians in Lake Mary Fl, electrical safety training, electrical safety tips and electrical safety rules quickly and easily by visiting http://www.lakemarybusinessdirectory.com a very popular website that provides resources, articles, and Seminole County consumer information and business reviews.
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
Posted by Fire Safety | Posted in Fire Safety Tips | Posted on 21-12-2008
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Do you know that home security means more than protecting your family from burglars? There are many other dangers that your family can face. One of the biggest dangers that your family needs to protect themselves from is fire. You need to learn as much as you can about fire safety so you can do everything you can to protect your family. One of the things you want to do is research and learn as many home fire safety tips and other information that you can.
A good way to learn home fire safety tips is by looking online. There is all kinds of tips and information online about fire safety. You just have to set aside time to learn all you can because if you don’t and the unthinkable should happen to your family, you may lose more than you bargained for, such as your family’s lives. Don’t let this happen to you. Research and learn all you can.
When you get online to research, there are many different news stories that you can read about fire safety to help you learn home fire safety tips. There was one news story done by homesafetycouncil.org about how to keep your family safe at home. Here are some of the different tips that they give.
1. “Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect – hold a family fire drill at least twice each year.”
2. “Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization – and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Some models provide dual coverage. Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year.”
These are not all of the home fire safety tips that you need to know but they are some of the most important ones. You have to make sure that everyone in your family knows what to do during a fire. You also need to have a way to be alerted to fire danger if you want to get your family out alive. So, do your homework and work with your family to make sure everyone knows what happens if this danger should occur.
It is a good idea also to research different fire safety products such as, smoke alarms, that will alert you of the danger. One that is popular with many people is the DXS-73 – Supervised Photoelectric Smoke Detector Transmitter. This smoke alarm has a built-in transmitter that is designed for use with Linear’s DXS and DX format receivers. When smoke is detected, the alarm sounds a loud local alarm. Twenty seconds after the local alarm sounds, the built in transmitter sends a digitally coded wireless signal to its companion receiver. The wireless signal will be repeated every 20 seconds as long as smoke is still present.
Another one that you want to research is the FSA-410BST – DSC 4 Wire Smoke Detector W/Heat and sounder. Automatic drift compensation, High/Low sensitivity trouble, easy maintenance replaceable chamber, magnet activated test, unique, non-contact sensitivity reading with hand-held FSD-100 test meter, Built-in, fixed temperature heat sensor option with an alarm threshold of 135 degrees F. Both of these can be researched at homesecuritystore.us.
You want to remember that your family can face many different dangers. So, do everything you can to protect them against all of them, including fire. Fire safety is something that every family needs to know. There are many home fire safety tips that you can learn to help you keep your family safe.
Ralph Winn has over 35 years of education and experience in the security industry.
Are you one of the many Americans who have begun to look into improving their home security? This is an important matter and a security system offers the best protection against burglary and vandalism.
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
Posted by Fire Safety | Posted in Fire Safety Tips | Posted on 19-12-2008
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You will not find very many folks that do not love the taste of food that has been cooked on an outdoor grill. Some like to use the old fashioned charcoal versions and others prefer the no mess gas grills. Whichever type you prefer, it is always a nice change of pace from indoor cooking. It is usually done in the warm weather months, but it is not unthinkable for some people to do it in the cooler months as well. The main thing about grill cooking outdoors is getting the job done safely because when you get a little negligent, it could cause some serious accidents.
Here are just a few tips for the outdoor grilling cooks:
1. Keep your grill clean. No one wants to cook food on a grill that still has all the gook left on it from the last time it was used. Use whatever cleaners are recommended for your specific grill.
2. If you use a charcoal grill, do not use more charcoal than necessary. This will save you money
3. Never use more starter on the charcoal than is recommended.
4. Always let your charcoal burn for as long as is recommended before putting the food on. You want the food to have that grilled flavor, but you do not want it to taste like charcoal starter fluid.
5. If you are using a gas grill, make sure all of your connections are done correctly and make sure you follow your grill cooking instructions carefully too.
6. Be sure you have your grill in an open area that is conducive to grilling. You should never use a charcoal grill indoors or a gas grill that was designed for outdoors.
7. Be sure you keep children and pets away from a hot grill.
8. When you are finished with your grilling, be sure the charcoal is out and a gas grill is off.
9. Keep your grill covered if it is exposed to the elements outside. This will help prevent water damage and rusting.
10. Whether it is a windy day or not, never leave your outdoor unattended. You would never want to allow an outdoor fire to start because of your grill.
11. Use extra care if you are grilling on a balcony such as in an apartment or condominium building. You should be sure that grilling on your balcony is allowed at all because in some places it is illegal or against policy.
Just by following these common sense safety tips you should be able to cook outside safely enough. You always want to use caution anytime there is a fire going on outdoors or indoors.
Source: http://www.brunkco.com/
Posted by Fire Safety | Posted in Fire Safety Tips | Posted on 18-12-2008
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A fire is usually a wake up call for most families. They wonder about what went wrong and what they can do differently once they get back into their home. The first step should be an inspection to narrow down the cause of the fire. Was it electrical? If so, was it the home’s wiring or was it a faulty electrical appliance that caused the fire and the resulting fire damage? Was it human carelessness that caused this tragedy? Was the cause of fire damage never discovered?
Once the fire’s cause is discovered then you can start working on your new upgrades. Wiring should be brought to modern code, especially in the case of older homes. Fire damage usually result in walls being replaced in the initial room as well as those surrounding it, so rewiring will be more convenient at this time. Check your electrician’s credentials, this is no time to save a dollar. Your insurance company may require a certified electrician, or even one of their own to renew your policy.
Another upgrade you can consider to hinder future fire damage is sprinklers and burn resistant materials. Some wall coverings are more burn resistant than others and may well be worth looking into. Sprinkler systems as well as integrated smoke detectors may lower your insurance rates as well as add resale value to your home. At the very least they will give you and your family peace of mind.
Do not overlook the need for fire extinguishers in your home. At the very least you need one in your kitchen, but for ultimate safety you should have one on each level of your home as well as the kitchen, the laundry room and in the general area of the hot water heater and furnace. If you use space heaters in other rooms, then a fire extinguisher should be handy there as well.
After restoring your home after all of the fire damage, you should write and practice an escape route for your family. Consider having a fire drill at least once a year, or more often if you have small children. Make sure that you have more than one exit available to you and a clear cut meeting place once everybody is outside. Other safety equipment to consider here would be a folding ladder for escaping a second floor window. An escape kit might be placed in a garage or with a trusted neighbor which would include spare clothing, and any relevant information for each family member. Include phone numbers that you will be needing in the next few days, including your insurance agent and family members that will need to be notified of what has happened.
Safety upgrades and equipment may go further to easing your mind than anything else, but do not go overboard. Try to settle back into life, and realize that after a fire, with all traces of fire damage lingering around, it will take some time for things to be back to normal. Allow yourself the time to get over the tragedy that has happened to you, and then to start enjoying your house once again.
Source: http://www.brunkco.com/