By Art Gib

Keeping a family safe at all times, and especially in the home, is the goal of good parents everywhere. Carelessness with fire, though, can send a family”s house, dreams, and memories up in smoke in the matter of minutes. Loss of property aside, nothing can replace the loss of a family member: and that should be incentive enough to think about fire safety. The best approach to avoiding such a trauma is to practice effective prevention strategies. Here are some tips.

–Multiple smoke detectors placed throughout the home should be standard equipment in all American houses. Most building codes require that detectors be placed in every bedroom and on every floor level.

Families who live in homes built before the strict fire codes were enacted should take it upon themselves to invest in these essential safety tools. The number one mistake people make is to install them then forget them. In order for them to work, batteries must be replaced at least once a year: preferably every six months.

– During the winter months, many fires are started by the misuse of portable heaters. Such devices are useful, but extra precautions must be taken if you choose to use one in your home. Keep all combustible items far away from the heat source! These items may include furniture, blankets, clothing, draperies, and toys: anything that could get hot. As a further safety measure, unplug the appliance when it is not in use.

– Cooking-caused fires can be prevented by following some basic kitchen rules. Oven mitts, kitchen towels, paper towels, and other combustibles should never find their way near the stove top. The cook should not wear billowy clothing and should take care with sleeves when he or she is at work. Get a fire extinguisher and– importantly– find out how to use it correctly: keep it close at hand in a kitchen closet or under the sink.

– Use safety plugs if you have small children, and avoid overloading outlets. Running electrical cords under carpets makes a home vulnerable to fire caused by damaged cords.

– If you are a smoker, commit to never smoking in bed– or better yet– never smoke in your house at all. Many preventable (and often deadly) home fires are caused by children who find matches and lighters that have been inadvertently left behind.

–Talk to your children often about fire prevention and fire safety. Hold regular fire drills so that they know exactly what to do and where to meet up in the event of such an emergency.

Fire prevention is the best way to keep a blazing tragedy out of your lives: making the effort to implement proactive measures is well worth the effort.

About The Author

Smoke detectors and fire assistance are often included as part of comprehensive home alarm systems. If you are interested in security alarm systems, contact the experts: Gaylord Industries (http://www.gaylordsecurity.com). Art Gib is a freelance writer.