5 Fire Safety Tips You Need To Know

No one wants to think about the possibility of their house catching on fire. Unfortunately, accidents can happen, and it's best to be prepared. These five safety tips will help keep you and your family safe in the event of a fire:

1. Have a plan.

It's important to have a fire safety plan. Together with your family, decide what you will do in case of a fire. Discuss the best routes to take to escape from each room in the house. During a fire, you might be panicked and not thinking clearly, so a predetermined plan will help you make the right choices. Draw a map of exit routes and hang it on the refrigerator.

2. Pick a meeting place.

Decide on a meeting place where the whole family will go in the event of a fire. This meeting place should be close to the house but outside of the danger zone. The front lawn or a neighbor's house are good options for a meeting place. Meeting in one place will help you to quickly ascertain if anyone is still left in the house, which will help firefighters know if they should look for people inside.

3. Purchase a fire extinguisher.

It's a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher in your house to put out small fires. Keep your fire extinguisher where it can be easily reached, and keep it away from direct heat. Make sure to inspect your fire extinguisher regularly. Check the pressure gauge to ensure your fire extinguisher has the proper charge and clean it when necessary. If you notice your fire extinguisher is damaged, have it repaired or replaced immediately.

4. Don't touch doorknobs.

Metal doorknobs can get very hot in the event of a fire, so be cautious when exiting rooms during a fire. If you have to open a door, use your sleeve or a towel to turn the knob, in order to protect your hand from burns. Before opening any door in a burning building, feel the door with the back of your hand. If the door is very hot, there is a fire close to the door, and you should find an alternate route if possible.

5. Never go back into a burning building.

If your house is on fire, your first priority should be exiting the building. Once you're outside, stay there. Never go back into a burning building for any reason.

Fire safety doesn't have to be complicated. It's important to learn fire safety techniques so you and your family can stay safe in case of a house fire. For more information, contact a company like Fire Foe Corp.