Protecting Your Home from Fire

It only takes a matter of minutes for a home to be completely ravaged and destroyed by fire, but most home fires can be prevented. It all starts be being aware that the danger exists, and then taking the necessary steps to safeguard against fire in your home. In many cases, you don’t have to lose your home and possessions to fire, if you think ahead and take action now. Even though you likely have protection against fire with your homeowner’s insurance coverage, that money can’t replace your memories, your photographs, and other memorabilia you may have.

Candles are very popular nowadays, to add that extra romantic feel to a home, or even for fragrance. While candles are beautiful when lit, they can pose a real threat to your home, particularly if left unattended. If you have candles in your home, you should make certain that you blow them out whenever you leave the room, even if only for a few minutes. In the amount of time it takes you to go answer the door, your home could catch on fire thanks to an unattended candle. Never place candles near anything that could catch on fire, such as curtains, furniture, clothing, papers, etc. Even if your candle is placed in a heavy glass holder, it could still get hot enough to break the glass, creating a very real fire hazard.

When you use appliances, such as toasters, coffee makers, waffle irons, etc., make certain that you immediately unplug them when you are finished. Never leave them plugged up, as this could definitely cause a fire in the right circumstances. Even if you turn the power off of the item, it still isn’t safe until it is unplugged from the power source. Remember that these items get very hot, and if placed next to any kind of flammable material, could also be a potential fire hazard.

You should check all of your power cords at least once every three months, and maybe even more often if you have pets or small children. Frayed cords, either from frequent use, age, or mistreatment, could very easily cause a fire to occur in your home, so it is important not to overlook this task.

If you have children at home, you should teach them about the dangers or fire, and what to do in case a fire did occur. Talk to them about how matches, lighters, etc., could cause potential fires, and why they should never play with these items. If your children are home alone, they shouldn’t try to cook their own food, opting instead to eat foods that come straight from the cabinet or refrigerator instead, as cooking could also cause a potential fire. If you aren’t sure that your children can obey these rules, then they should not be left home alone.

Make certain that you have working alarms and extinguishers located throughout your home. Test them on a regular basis to make certain they are in good repair. Teach your children and everyone in your home how and when to use an extinguisher, and have them checked frequently as well, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Free safety check of child seats in Yuba City (The Sacramento Bee)

YUBA CITY -- A free child safety seat checkup will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. today at the Toys "R" Us, 700 A Onstott Road, Yuba City. Participating agencies will be the California Highway Patrol's Yuba-Sutter Office, the Yuba City Police Department and Keeping Kids Safe. Certified child passenger restraint technicians will inspect the safety seats to make sure they are properly installed, ...

MAURICE RIVER: Child safety seat checks offered (Daily Journal)

\PORT ELIZABETH — State troopers will install and inspect child safety seats for local residents Saturday.

Infinity Insurance Organizes Child Safety Day (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)

Infinity Insurance has partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to provide Kindergarten students at Howard Tanner Elementary with Infinity Cares Child Safety Kits.

Window Blinds & Shades Recalled After Child Strangled (KTHV Little Rock)

Federal safety officials are announcing a recall of window blinds and shades after the strangling death of a young child and a close call for a second.

Window blinds and shades recalled after child strangled (News On 6 Tulsa)

Associated Press - November 20, 2008 10:33 AM ET WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal safety officials are announcing a recall of window blinds and shades after the strangling death of a young child and a...