Mar 16, 2022
An unguarded stove.
An overloaded extension cord.
An unextinguished cigarette.
These are some of the most common causes of house fires, which we certainly wish to avoid. Here in the Philippines, March is an important month as most fires occur more frequently in this period than at any other time of the year. Hence, we dedicate this March as our National Fire Prevention Month. For this blog entry, we at AllHome will be teaching you five ways to protect yourself, your family, and of course, your home from an unwanted disaster.
If you plan to build a new home, know that safety should first come into mind before style and design. How you layout the rooms, systems, and appliances matters. Electrical appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators should not be too close to damp areas like faucets and sinks. Keep the place dry to avoid possible short-circuiting.
Consider as well the material used in constructing the house. While wood is a common and cheap material used, it makes the home more susceptible to quick burning. Opt for a less combustible material like concrete instead.
Lastly, install smoke detectors in your home to add extra safety to alarm yourself.
A common mistake among homeowners would be overloading your plug outlets and extension cords with chargers, smartphones, and other electronic devices. Doing so is dangerous, as the overheating of the outlet will eventually cause it to ignite.
When there are too many devices plugged in, chances are a number of them are either fully charged already or are not even needed in the first place. In either case, unplug them when not in use and make way for those you need. Likewise, give it some time to cool before reuse.
The kitchen is most often the source of residential fires. Among the most common causes of kitchen conflagrations is the grease fire. Oil is a highly flammable substance, and when it comes into contact with fire, it will set your cooking ablaze. In such a scenario, don’t douse it with water. Instead, turn off the heat and cover it with a lid to cut off the fire’s oxygen fuel.
But, it’s not just what you cook that may be a cause of concern. It is also how you make your meal, whether through gas or electricity.
LPG Tanks, used for cooking, must be treated with care. Place in a location away from the stove or any heat source. Inspect them regularly for any dents and leaks on the tank. Lastly, do not forget to close the valve when not in use.
These days, however, home cooks are showing more favor to electric stoves than natural gas stoves, as the former is much less of a fire hazard than the latter. In addition, it is the more preferred and safer medium of cooking for condominium or apartment residents. Still, as with most electrical appliances, they must be kept away from wet places to avoid short circuits.
Just in case something comes ablaze, always have a fire extinguisher close to you. You can purchase one at your nearest hardware store, but even when you have one at hand, you may not be familiar with its proper utilization.
To familiarize yourself, remember this acronym: PASS. Each letter corresponds to the steps to use a fire extinguisher. Pull the pin to discharge, aim for the base of the fire, squeeze the top handle to release, and sweep from side to side.
In addition, be sure to check on the extinguisher’s condition regularly to look for any defects that may render it useless.
While you have to watch out for any potential source, it is just as important to look for items that may fuel it even further. Another reason homes catch fire quickly is that there is enough stuff such as clothing and paper files to act as additional kindling. There is a good chance that a handful of them are things you no longer need or want, so give yourself some time to declutter your home. Not only will your house be safer from further burning, but it will also be made cleaner and more organized.
And those are AllHome’s tips for you to fire-proof your home! Follow them, and you won’t have to compromise your home for your or your family’s safety. Tune in soon for more home-related blog content.
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