Fire Prevention Starts at Home | SERVPRO® of Conway & Faulkner Counties

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged in a house fire, SERVPRO of Conway & Faulkner Counties is here to help. Contact us for any fire restoration needs.

According to the American Red Cross, they have responded to more than 20,000 house fires so far this year in 2022. Unfortunately, that number is not even an extensive list of all of the house fires in the United States.

Your first step in fire prevention is to have a fully functioning smoke detector in your home. That is the best way to prevent loss of life and devastating fire damage. After that, there are still some small things you can do yourself to help reduce fire risk in your home.

Declutter Your Spaces

It is easy to have excess in our homes. From our stairways, hallways and entry areas, we can easily become burdened by all of the extra shoes, jackets, blankets and other things that build up over time. If you have lots of things strewn about your home, you are creating tripping hazards if a quick exit is needed.

These things can also be additional fuel to a home fire or can even spark a fire if left too close to water heaters or other housing units. Allow your spaces to stay as organized and as open as possible to help slow the spread if a fire does break out.

Do you make a habit of filling up your outlets and power cords regularly? Overloaded extension cords are a very common issue in homes, and they easily can become a fire hazard. Unplug things when they are not in use, and try to avoid using up every outlet in a power cord all the time.

Your Yard Can Defend You

Your yard is actually the first line of defense when an external fire is threatening outside. By being intentional with how you plant trees and other landscaping, you can create a makeshift barrier around your home. This natural barrier protects your home and slows the spread of a fire to give your fire department more time to reach you.

States California have actually imposed defensible zone regulations due to their proven ability to slow home destruction.

Planting Strategically

Arkansas has seen an increase in wildfires in recent years, and with the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest to our north and the Ouachita National Forest to our south, we are an area that would benefit from implementing defensible spaces in our yards. The next time you are planning to plant a tree, apple blossom or shrub, think about where you’re planting it.

Clean It Up

Finally, even the simple act of cleaning can be a large factor in reducing fire risk. Simple dusting around appliances or electrical outlets help limit potential fuel for an electrical spark. Cleaning your stove and oven regularly ensures that you don’t have any blockages or buildup that could start a fire.

Our homes serve us in so many ways these days—we work, play and relax in them more often in the past few years. Do your part to take care of your home so it continues to take care of you.

If you have experienced fire damage or want to learn more about our fire damage restoration services, contact us today. We’re here to act fast, ²⁴⁄₇.