Every family, at some point, must consider the horrible possibility of having a house fire. More than 3,400 Americans die each year in fires, and approximately 17,500 are injured, even though the majority house fires can be prevented. It is extremely important that everyone in your family knows what to do in case of a fire, and that your home has all of the necessary fire-prevention devices. Common sense is the most important factor in preventing house fires. These ideas seem strait forward and simple, but actually following-through on them is anything but! Here are some of Song Real Estate’s fire prevention tips:
When you begin the process of purchasing a home, you should immediately have it inspected. You can read more about home inspections here. Your home inspector will look at your electric, gas, and HVAC systems; but you must take the responsibility of maintaining them and continuing to check them periodically. You should also keep an eye on all of your household appliances. Be careful around extension cords, don’t leave appliances turned on unattended, and be extra aware of what’s happening with and around stoves, ovens, dryers, and space heaters.
More fires occur in the kitchen than anywhere else in the home. Make sure that you are extremely cautious when you are cooking and remember to inspect your appliances often. Also, keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and other rooms with high fire risk. The number one cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking. That is why you must never keep a burner on when you leave the room, even if it’s just for a minute. Always have a lid nearby when you are cooking with oil so that you can suffocate flames if they appear.
Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are essential for every family, and should be placed periodically throughout your house. It’s especially important to put smoke detectors outside of sleeping areas in order to prevent anyone from sleeping through a house fire. Remind yourself to test smoke detector batteries every month and change them every year. It’s essential for every family to have a fire escape plan. Practice your fire escape plan at least twice a year; especially if you have young children, and make sure all of your children know how to ‘stop, drop and roll’ and dial 9-1-1.
Our real estate office is right next door to the Veneta fire station, but your home might not be so conveniently located in case of an emergency. So follow our guidelines and use your common sense when it comes to fire safety! Don’t take the risk of endangering your home, family, and possessions. Visit our website at www.songrealestate.com
Arica Song and Jim Mitchell
Song Real Estate- Hybrid Real Estate
541-935-8855
www.songrealestate.com
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