Fire Safety Tips for Shelby, Gastonia & Surrounding Areas

Fires can spread quickly and have devastating results, especially if you don't take precautions. If you want to save your loved ones and prevent or minimize the damage to your belongings, we recommend following these steps to help be more prepared if you do have a house fire.

Fire Safety Tips for Everyone

There are several things to do which may save lives:

• Install fire alarms: Smoke alarms are your best early warning system in the event of a fire. It is advised to install smoke alarms outside each room and on every level of your home, including the basement. If you sleep with the door closed, install an alarm out of your space. A disabled alarm can't save your life, so check them bi-annually to see if they are working properly. Change out the batteries yearly (because they are notorious for going out in the middle of the night and waking your family with the chirping noise of a low battery alert!)
• Create an escape plan: The most important thing during a fire event is to escape from the burning place as quickly as possible. So sit with your family and make out an escape plan in advance. Ensure that everyone knows two different exits accessed from all rooms, including windows. Let your entire family practice the whole procedure at least 3-4 times per year.
• Ensure safety in the kitchen: When you are cooking, keep a close eye on it. Try to keep combustibles out of the area and wear clothing with short, rolled-up, or tight-fitting sleeves. Make sure the pot handles of the stove are out of the kid's reach. Don't let your kids enter the kitchen without supervision. Slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames and switch off the heat source if grease starts to burn in the pan. If you do have a grease fire, keep the lid on until the pan is entirely cool. Be sure to have a fire extinguisher that is for kitchens in an accessible area should a fire start. REMEMBER - Grease fires should never try to be put out with water as it could make it worse.
• Be mindful of cigarettes: In North America, careless smoking is one of the common causes of fatal fires. Cigarettes or cigarette butts can be harmful if not properly secured before going to sleep or when you're sleepy. Cigarette butts should be soaked in water before being discarded, and smokers should use large, deep, non-tipping ashtrays. Check for smoldering cigarettes around upholstered furniture and cushions if somebody smoked on or around them.
• Safe electricity usage: Unplug an electric appliance as soon as you see smoke or an odd odor coming from it, then have it serviced before you use it again. Any frayed or fractured electrical cord should be replaced. Do not run any cords underneath the rugs. Use the correct size fuses and avoid tampering with your fuse box.

Fire can break out at any time. If you are careful enough, you can minimize your fire risk or fire damage. If your house faces any fire damage, you can call us at (704) 482-7586 or contact us here for expert restoration service. Our service is available in Shelby, Lincolnton, Gastonia, and surrounding areas. Experts from American Restoration Disaster Specialist are available 24/7 to respond to any fire damage to your home.