Follow These Simple Methods to Prevent House Fires | SERVPRO® of Northwest Bergen

6/9/2022 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged in a house fire, SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen is here to help. Contact us for any fire restoration need.

So far in 2022, over 20,000 house fires have been responded to by the American Red Cross. While this may seem like a lot, it only represents a fraction of the number of fires that have occurred in the United States alone.

The primary way to prevent the damage and loss of life that fires can cause is still smoke detectors. But to aid in their function, here are simple methods you can implement:

Clear the Clutter

Having clothes, loose blankets and similar items strewn around the house can present issues. On top of being messy, these things can become fuel for a potential fire.

If left near a water heater, clothing items can actually be the cause of fires. Having open spaces will create clear escape routes and mitigate the spread of a fire.

In colder places like New Jersey, space heaters are a common catalyst of house fires. It is important to keep clothes and curtains a few feet away from these appliances.

Leaving space between outlets and furniture will allow air to flow properly and prevent overheating that can spark fires inside the home.

Create a Defensible Space in Your Yard

In the event a fire originates outside, strategic landscaping is important. When done properly, this can protect your home and give enough of an area for firemen to prevent fires from reaching your home.

Because they frequently experience wildfires, states like California have created defensible zone requirements. This is because they have proven to slow down the spread and damage of wildfires. Although this risk is not as prevalent in New Jersey, it is still useful to practice these tips.

Despite these tips, you don’t need to stop planting your favorite bulbs. You can use it as an opportunity to place plants and trees to strategically provide protection. On top of this, it is a good idea to remove all dead plants and limbs since they can fuel flames.

Keep It Clean & Keep It Safe

After cleaning the clutter in your home and yard, you can optimize your efforts with a thorough spring-cleaning. Actions like getting your chimney cleaned and inspected are effective ways to reduce risks.

On top of that, the simple act of dusting can prevent fires. Pay attention to the areas that collect a lot of dust and clear those out.

Breaking down all these methods and approaching them systematically makes them more manageable and easy to perform.

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.