A home fire is something every one dreads. Yet, fire and smoke damage prevention is something that many people don’t often think about. Taking preventative measures not only help protect your family and property, but can also save you from having to deal with very costly home repair in the future.
Steve Wills, a fire and water damage restoration expert from ServiceMaster Restoration by Wills – Stamford, has first-hand experience with all types of house fires and all the hassle they cause. His company has helped thousands of homeowners in Norwalk, Stamford, Greenwich, and surrounding areas in Connecticut restore their homes; and they know all too well that every fire has the potential to cause thousands of dollars in damages.
“Consider that even a small house fire, like the one caused by a small appliance such as a toaster oven, can produce a lot of smoke,” says Wills. “Even if the fire itself is quickly contained and extinguished, the smoke has the potential to spread to every single room in the house, and with it, horrible smells and harmful particles that can find their way into your air ducts and linger there for months. Every time you turn on the HVAC system, these particles become airborne again and breathing them in can harm your lungs and respiratory tract. “
Getting soot, smoke and the terrible smell out of your furniture, walls and other valuables is no easy task, not to mention there can be some items that you won’t be able to replace.
Wills advises homeowners to take preventative measures: “Your best bet is to be prepared and avoid the nightmare that fire and smoke damage can cause,” he says. Wills also offers the following tips:
1. Install and maintain smoke detectors in good working order
Smoke detectors should be installed in every level of your home, and outside of all sleep areas. Once the smoke detectors are installed, it’s easy to just forget about them. In order to make sure you and your family are safe, regular maintenance of the detectors is required. Smoke detectors should be checked once a month and kept free of dust. Also, batteries should be replaced at least once a year or if the detector is emitting a chirping sound. Smoke detectors are your first line of defense against serious house fires.
2. Consider Installing a Residential Sprinkler System
Residential sprinkler systems are powerful allies in case of a house fire. It has a fast acting element and as soon as it activates, the sprinkler sprays water on the burning object and puts out or controls the fire. The sprinkler system also acts directly on the potentially deadly effect of the fire, for example, by lowering the air temperature.
Residential sprinkler use less water than commercial systems and most of them rely exclusively on the existing water supply. A combination of sprinklers and smoke alarms can drastically decrease the likelihood of injuries or even death caused by a home fire.
Residential sprinkler systems are relatively affordable (especially if you factor in safety and property damage protection) and help increase property value. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), prices for installing a residential sprinkler system in existing homes range from $2.50 to $5.00 per square foot, depending on how difficult it is to run the pipes. This assumes the availability of an adequate and reliable water supply.
3. Have your chimney professionally inspected and cleaned at the start of every heating season.
According to the USFA, heating fires account for 36 percent of residential home fires in rural areas every year. Oftentimes, these fires are due to creosote buildup in chimneys and stovepipes, which is why they need to be regularly cleaned. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, make sure to never limit the air supply to them, as this can lead to creosote buildup and a potential chimney fire. Keep the air inlets in the stove and the glass doors open in the fireplace when in use. Always keep a metal mesh screen in front of the fireplace tokeep embers from getting out of the fireplace area.
4. Keep your dryer and drier vents clean and lint-free.
According to data collected by the USFA, an estimated 2,900 clothes dryer fires in residential buildings are reported to U.S. fire departments each year, and cause an estimated five deaths, 100 injuries, and lead to $35 million in property loss.
In order to prevent a fire, it’s important to clean the dryer’s lint trap after every load. Also, clean the back of your drier where lint tends to build up at least once every couple of weeks, and keep the area around it clean and free of clutter.
Have a professional clean the chassis inside the appliance periodically. Every once in a while, check the vents from the outside of your house, while the dryer is on, to make sure the air is coming out properly. Clean dryer vents aren’t just safer, but they help you save energy because your clothes will dry faster!
5. Eliminate clusters of wires, cords and plugs
With so many electronics in the typical U.S. household, clusters of wires, cords and plugs are bound to happen, especially around home computers and home entertainment systems, and they all pose a fire hazard. Avoid clusters by using simple tricks to organize and tag the cords, using good quality power strips and surge protectors when you need to plug in more than one device. Smart strips are a good investment: Not only do they protect your home and equipment, but they can be programmed to turn everything off when in idle, helping you save energy by eliminating the so-called “phantom load.”
6. Keep at least one fire extinguisher handy in case of emergency
Experts recommend that you have one fire extinguisher in the kitchen, one in the garage and one in the workshop. They all should be kept in working order, to be ready if and when you need. Remember that all fire extinguishers need to receive annual maintenance by a licensed, certified professional. Common extinguishers need to be emptied, pressure tested (hydrostatic test) and refilled every five years.
7. Know thy home
It is important to know a little bit about your home’s systems and you exercise caution if you are doing any home repair or landscaping. Know where electrical wires and natural gas pipes are in your house before starting any building projects. It’s always best to have a certified electrician perform any electrical work.
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