Here are a few facts from the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency).
- Between 2010 – 2014 there was an average of 358,300 house fires per year.
- There was an average of 2,560 deaths per year.
- There was an average of 12,720 injuries per year.
While nobody expects a house fire to happen to them, the facts are that there is an average of over 900 house fires per day in the U.S. That is why it is so important to have a fire preparedness plan.
Smoke Alarms
First and foremost is having the proper amount of working smoke alarms in your home. Current safety standards require these to be hard wired together so that when one alarm sounds, they all will go off. In an existing home this can be expensive to do, but they do make wireless smoke detectors now for this purpose. If you have kids make sure they know what the alarm sounds like and what it means. As a certified professional home inspector from Chesterton Indiana, I will check to see if your home has the proper number of smoke detectors and in the right locations.
For a complete guide to installing smoke alarms visit the National Fire Protection Agency
Plan out your escape routes
Spend some time going through every room in your home. You want to have two means of escape from every room in case the primary exit is blocked. If you keep your windows locked make sure the locks function properly and your kids know how to operate them. Make a plan and go over it with your kids. Twice a year have a practice fire drill with every one in the household. You can make this a fun event for your kids. House fires do happen. Homes can be replaced, you and your loved ones cannot. Please be prepared.