Tips Before and After a Fire

7/24/2020 (Permalink)

Excellent Tips Before and After a Fire

Before a Fire

Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly. Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan. Some helpful tips to consider when preparing this plan include:

• Find two ways to get out of each room in the event the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke.
• A secondary route might be a window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows.
• Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly and that security bars can be properly opened.
• Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.
• Teach children not to hide from firefighters.

Smoke Alarms

A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.

• Install both ionization AND photoelectric smoke alarms, OR dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.
• Test batteries monthly.
• Replace batteries in battery-powered and hard-wired smoke alarms at least once a year.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, both inside and outside of sleeping areas.
• Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every 8-10 years or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking – it can be a deadly mistake.

More Fire Safety Tips

• Make digital copies of valuable documents and records like birth certificates.
• Sleep with your door closed.
• Contact your local fire department for information on training on the proper use and maintenance of fire extinguishers.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your residence.

After a Fire

The following checklist serves as a quick reference and guides for you to follow after a fire strikes.

• Contact your local disaster relief service, such as The Red Cross, if you need temporary housing, food, and medicines.
• If you are insured, contact your insurance company for detailed instructions on protecting your property, conducting inventory, and contacting SERVPRO of Kendall County. 
• Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter. Watch out for any structural damage caused by the fire.
• The fire department should make sure that utilities are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site. DO NOT attempt to reconnect utilities yourself.
• Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items. Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made.
• Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to fire loss. The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company and for verifying losses claimed on your income tax.
• Notify your mortgage company of the fire.

Fires in your home can be an overwhelming experience SERVPRO of Kendall County can help you and your family navigate through this difficult time.