Fire Prevention Week: 5 Tips to Prevent House Fires

Held annually during the week in which October 8 falls, Fire Prevention Week is designed to raise awareness for common fire hazards. House fires cause thousands of deaths and billions of dollars in damage each year. And it only takes a single fire to destroy an entire home. You can prevent house fires, however, by following these five tips.

#1) Don't Leave Burning Candles Unattended

Never leave burning candles unattended. Even if they are inside a car, they may tip over. You can still use candles for emergency lighting if there's a power outage; just remember to extinguish them before leaving the room or going to sleep. You should only burn candles if you are able to watch them.

#2) Test Smoke Alarms

Regularly testing smoke alarms is essential to preventing house fires. Most experts recommend testing smoke alarms at least once a month. Depending on the type of smoke alarms you have, they'll probably feature a "test" button. Pressing this button should result in a loud siren, indicating it works. If you don't hear this siren, you may need to replace the batteries or replace the smoke alarm itself.

#3) Inspect Windows

You should inspect the windows in your home to ensure they are functional. Most states and municipalities have building codes that require windows to open and close. Nonetheless, there are some homes with sealed-shut windows. If the windows are sealed shut in your home, you won't be able to escape through them in the event of a house fire.

#4) Clean the Dryer Lint Filter

Many house fires are caused by a clogged dryer lint filter. Dryers have filters that are designed to catch lint from clothes. As lint builds up on them, though, it can create a fire hazard. The hot air inside of the dryer may ignite the dryer, thereby causing a fire. To prevent house fires, clean the dryer lint filter each time you do laundry.

#5) Buy a Fire Extinguisher

Assuming you don't already have one, you should buy a fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers aren't designed exclusively for the workplace; they are equally important for homes and other residences. Of course, there are different types of fire extinguishers. Some of them use a powder substance like potassium bicarbonate, whereas others use plain water. Regardless, you should keep a fire extinguisher in an easy-to-access area of your home.