Fire damage is one of the worst things that can happen to any home. It is also one of the most preventable. In today’s post, Special Touch Restoration shares the things that you can do to prevent fires and fire damage in your home. 

Install Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors are your first line of defense against fire damage, and can help you respond to small fires in time. Alabama has adopted the safety codes established by the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) as of 2003, which means if your home is up to code and was built after that year, then you already have the minimum requirements for having smoke detectors in your home. Make it a point to test your alarms regularly by pressing the “test” button, and replace their batteries every six months.

Have Fire Extinguishers In Key Parts of Your Home

Fire extinguishers complement smoke detectors in helping prevent fire damage. There are four types of fire extinguishers — A for wood fires, B for grease fires, C for electrical fires, and ABC for all types. Have at least a five-pound model in the kitchen, near the furnace and other heating equipment, and one in each floor in your home, easily accessible to all bedrooms. If possible, have one in every bedroom in the house. Just as important is teaching your family how to use the fire extinguishers. A quick response is crucial when putting out fires, and making sure that everyone at home knows how to locate and use them can make the difference between minor restoration costs and the entire house burning down.

Address Electrical Issues

Electrical fires are a major cause of fire damage. Stop using faulty outlets and equipment with old wiring, and have a licensed electrician fix them as soon as possible. Jamming too many extension cords into one outlet (“octopus connections”) must be avoided. Instead, have an electrician install additional outlets if you are using that much equipment at once. If you must use extensions, choose ones with safety features such as individual on/off switches and built-in circuit breakers.

Special Touch Restoration is your leading provider of fire and water damage restoration services. Give us a call at (256) 330-4822 and (251) 512-1424. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.