01/09/2020
STRUCTURE FIRES:
Are you and your family prepared?
Here is a check list of preventative measures and will greatly improve you're odds of survival if your home is on fire.
#1) Do you have working smoke alarms on all levels and in every sleeping area? If not, get them installed.
#2) Can all occupants get out of their bedrooms (To the exterior) without your assistants? Find out! On a second story, is there an egress ladder that can be utilize? Can they even open the window? You would be surprised how many kids and elderly can't open their own bedroom window. Is the window big enough to get out? Ground level windows should be no smaller than 5.2 sqft opening. This not only allows safe egress, but also allows enough room for fire fighters to enter the structure.
#3) Do all occupants sleep with the bedroom door closed? If not, insure they do. This will greatly increase the time for safe egress.
#4) Make sure there are no combustible materials close to fire places, including gas fired appliances with a glass front. On natural burning fire places, get it inspected and cleaned by a licensed chimney sweep.
#5) Check to see if there is anything laying on top of your gas fired water heater such as manuals and other misc materials.
#6) Dryer vent lines. Do you ever clean it? probably not! Get it done at least annually. Lint build up inside the vent line will reduce air flow and result in over heating. End result is a dryer fire.
#7) Kitchen fires make up for almost half of all residential structure fires. Keep your stove top clean and free of clutter. Insure the grease filter is regularly cleaned. If your exhaust is exterior vented, make sure it does not terminate into the attic space. Exterior vented exhaust must terminate to the exterior to prevent fire spread in the attic space.
#8) Power strips, we all have them. Update your power strips and don't over load them. NEVER plug a space heater into a power strip, use a wall receptacle only.
#9) Do you have fire extinguishers? Post fire extinguishers in kitchen (opposite wall of stove), garages and close to Mechanical rooms.
#10) Incandescent light bulbs are NOT a safe choice for lighting, especially in closets. Do yourself a favor and replace them with florescent or LED, preferably LED. These types of light bulbs burn cooler than incandescence bulbs and will save you $$ on your electric bill.
If you have elderly parents or grand parents that live alone, check their home for the above red flags.
If you have any questions in regards to fire safety in your home, call or txt me anytime.
Let's have a safe 2020 !
Jeff Fanger
Home Pro Inspections
260-385-9055
