House fires are devastating, having the potential to destroy families and entire lives within seconds. Worst of all, a lot of these disasters can be preventable, with steps taken today able to protect your home and family tomorrow. The following home fire prevention tips do not require a lot of effort but have the potential to save you everything.
While there are steps you can take yourself, it is also important to enlist the services of an experienced home fire safety inspector to check your home for any potential hazards. These inspections should be conducted before moving into a new property, and every few years in your current home, to ensure that you and your family are never at risk.
If you require a Brisbane house inspection, look no further than the professional team at ASBIR. Call us on 1300 553 007, send an email to info@asbir.com.au, or request a free quote online.
Tips for How to Avoid House Fires
Regularly Check Your Fire Alarms
As a tool designed to alert us of a fire in our home, fire alarms are our first line of defence when it comes to home fire prevention. Fire alarms run on batteries, and when those batteries die, they become nothing more than a decoration for your roof. We recommend checking your alarms are still active at least once a month by pressing the test button on the device’s face. They should also be kept clear of dust and debris to ensure they operate properly.
Prepare an Escape Plan
While it is not nice to think about what might happen in the event of a housefire, home fire safety begins with being prepared. Inspect your home for the most likely places a fire may start, such as in the kitchen, and consider how the fire will spread throughout your home. With that in mind, devise an escape route for your family to escape such a blaze. This route should allow you to pass by the rooms of anyone who might need your help, such as children, before leading you all safely outside.
Ensure Your Home Has a Safety Switch
Safety switches are designed to cut the power in your home if irregular and dangerous activity is detected. Faulty appliances such as old fridges and malfunctioning TVs can cause fires if they are overloaded, but safety switches prevent this from happening. A top way for how to avoid house fires is to hire a licensed electrician to install one of these switches in your meter box. Most homes typically already have one installed, but it is important that you check, especially if you own an older home.
Invest in Fire Extinguishers
A key part of home fire prevention is to purchase fire extinguishers and place them in convenient locations around the property. At least one should be placed in the kitchen, as that is often the most likely source of a fire. It is also important to be aware of the different types of fires, from gas to electrical, and which extinguisher is best used for each scenario. It is recommended to invest in at least a few different types of extinguishers to be prepared for any situation.
Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Often described as the silent killer, carbon monoxide is odourless and invisible as it poisons the air we breathe. Carbon monoxide can be released into the air through the burning of fuels such as gas, oil, and wood. Gas hot water units and heaters are some of the leading causes of carbon monoxide in the home. Alongside your smoke alarms, installing carbon monoxide detectors is a key step of home fire safety, as they will alert you before any present carbon monoxide reaches dangerous levels.
Invest in Home Fire Safety Today!
At ASBIR, we pride ourselves on delivering the Brisbane building and pest inspections our clients trust to keep their homes and their families safe. Whether you require roof inspections or a building handover inspection, our expert team is here to help. Request a free quote online, send an email to info@asbir.com.au, or give us a call on 1300 553 007 to get started.
