Fire Damage Prevention During The Holidays

During the holidays in Hyrum, we are all for seeing chestnuts roasting on an open fire. However, what we don’t want to see is your home and belongings roasting in open flames and sustaining fire damage. Sadly, house fires are fairly common during this time of year, and there are few disasters more devastating than fires. Our homes have become a safe haven this last year, and the fire damage restoration team at Sierra Restoration wants to help keep your home safe so we have provided a list of things you can do in and around your home this holiday season to help prevent fires and respond quickly if they do occur.

Fire Damage In Hyrum

• Install smoke alarms throughout your home. Doing so can save you from fire damage Every level of your home, and inside and outside sleeping areas, should have smoke alarms. Be sure to text your smoke alarms periodically and routinely. If they are not working correctly, change them out. You should also change the batteries at least once a year, before they run out. Most smoke alarms expire after 10 years. If yours are older than that, install new ones. Working smoke alarms reduce the chances of fire fatality by nearly 50%. They are critical for warning when fire is present, and are the first step in the evacuation process, so be sure that they are working correctly. 
• Create, and practice, a fire escape plan with everyone in your home. An effective fire escape plan should have 2 ways out of every room. As part of your plan, designate a safe meeting place outside of the home. This meeting place should be a safe distance for the home, and in a place that is easily seen and accessible. Being informed and practiced on how to respond during a fire makes the evacuation process run more smoothly and efficiently. 
• Keep flammable objects and materials in safe places. Keep matches high and out of reach of children, and valves on gas tanks turned off when not in use. Do not leave space heaters on in unoccupied rooms, and keep them at least 3 feet away from any flammable items. Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, and always burn them out when leaving the room. 
• Do not over plug outlets. When too much current is running through a single outlet or extension cord, fires can occur. Do not plug multiple appliances into the same electrical socket. If you have multiple cords that need power, use a surge protector. If cords feel hot after being plugged in for extended amounts of time, unplug them until they cool down. 
• Be aware and cautious in the kitchen. Kitchen fires are leading sources for house fires, and most can be completely avoidable. Do not leave a hot oven or stovetop unattended, and keep a fire extinguisher on hand in the kitchen. Be informed on how to handle grease fires, and keep things like baking soda or flour on hand near the heat source when cooking with oils. 
• If there is a fire in your home, get out, stay out, and call the fire damage restoration experts immediately. Do not go back into the home for anything. 
• If you find yourself in need of fire damage cleanup and restoration, call Sierra Restoration. We are here for you during the most difficult times, and will be sure to get your home back to normal as quickly and safely as possible.