A house fire is far too common in the United States. In fact, every year around 3000 people die in fires in the US. This means that more than three people die each week due to a house fire, and, according to FEMA, one child dies every day as a result of a fire in the home.

 While some fires cannot be prevented, there are things you can do to make your home safer and avoid having to rebuild your whole life, have to deal with insurance claims and insurance claim attorneys and more importantly, stay alive! Here’s a list of a few things we recommend.

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Check your smoke alarms regularly and keep them maintained

If the batteries are dead, your smoke detectors will not function. Make sure to inspect them on a regular basis and to replace batteries as soon as they become essential. Your chances of surviving a potentially lethal home fire are considerably improved if you have a functioning smoke alarm. Batteries should be replaced twice a year unless you are using lithium batteries that have a 10-year lifespan. It is recommended that you replace the entire smoke alarm device every ten years or as directed by the manufacturer. Including the basement and attic, install smoke alarms on every level of your home. Never turn off a smoke alarm while you are cooking since it could be a fatal mistake.

Audio alarms for visually impaired persons should pause with a brief period of silence between each subsequent cycle so that they may hear instructions or other people’s voices more clearly. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can purchase smoke alarms that include a vibrating pad or flashing light. Inform yourself about the availability of flashing or vibrating smoke alarms by getting in touch with your local fire department. Smoke alarms with a strobe light outside the residence to attract the attention of neighbors, as well as emergency call systems for calling assistance, are also accessible options.

Build or renovate your home with fire-resistant materials

In the event that you are building a new home or looking to make some improvements to your existing home, you will be amazed at the broad range of fire-resistant materials that are available on the market today. To give yourself a little more peace of mind, consider using fire-resistant materials when the choice is available to you.

Tidy up your lawn

Did you know that dead plants and grass may be extremely flammable? It may seem ridiculous, but it is true. That is why keeping your lawn in good condition and eliminating any dead plants can make a significant difference in safeguarding your property. Make sure your gutters are free of dead twigs and leaves, as well as other debris.

Keep your dryer vent clear

Dryers have been known to cause house fires due to their high heat and flammable fumes. The vent pipe leading from your dryer should be cleaned out every six months at the very minimum – preferably more often – to prevent this from happening.

Keep a close eye on your household appliances

Despite the fact that appliances such as cookers and washing machines make daily life a lot easier, they can also be dangerous when they catch fire. Kitchen fires account for over half of all house fires, according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).

Practice kitchen safety

The kitchen may be the most functional room in the house, serving everything from family meals to midnight nibbles. However, because there are so many appliances in one spot, it demands a little extra care.

Whenever it is ready to start cooking, make sure that all combustible materials such as curtains, rags, and chemicals are kept at least three feet away from the oven and stove. Keep an eye on the room if you can avoid it if at all possible. And keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of a grease fire or other emergency in the kitchen.

Sleep safely

Take a look inside your mattress to see whether it has any flame-retardant chemicals to get started. Consider investing in a flame-resistant mattress cover for added protection. It is also possible to prevent fires in the bedroom by developing good habits and following sound fire safety measures. Electric blankets, smoking in bed, space heaters, and overloaded power outlets are all potential dangers in the bed. If you smoke, you should do so outside. Only utilize electric blankets that have the ability to automatically switch off. Additionally, avoid plugging too many plugs into too many wall sockets or power strips.

Put a robust fire safety plan in place and make sure everyone understands it

This is maybe the most significant of all the suggestions. Create a family fire safety strategy that involves everyone in the household. Make certain that your children and other loved ones are aware of the plan and are comfortable carrying it out if necessary. It has already been stated that not all fires are preventable. Even if situations beyond our control may occur, having a disaster preparedness plan in place is the most effective approach to keep your loved ones safe in an emergency.

If you find yourself in a fire, keep in mind that every second matters. Escape plans assist you in getting out of your house as quickly as possible. Practice your home fire escape plan twice a year to keep it fresh in your mind. Some suggestions to keep in mind when putting together this plan are as follows:

• Determine two other routes out of each room in the event that the principal route is blocked by fire or fumes.
• Check that the windows are not stuck, that the screens can be removed fast, and that the security bars can be opened properly before proceeding.
• Train yourself to navigate your way out of the house by feeling your way in the dark or with your eyes closed.
• Children should not be taught to run from firefighters.