Fire Safety: Prevention Tips to Protect You and Your Family

If you’re a homeowner, comprehensive insurance coverage usually includes damage caused by fire. But it’s always good to double-check that this is covered. If you’re looking for a low-cost alternative, you could get dwelling fire insurance, which is cheaper than traditional policies. If you rent a house, particularly a historic or older home, or if you own a seasonal rental property, you could be eligible for dwelling fire insurance. You also might be eligible if you’re a landlord of a multi-family home.
A fire disaster is one of those events that you hope never happens, but hopefully have planned for when you buy insurance coverage. At the same time, it’s good to be prepared ahead of time, because it’s better to prevent a fire than to have to deal with the consequences and damage caused by one. Here are a few fire safety tips to keep in mind:
Have a family action plan.
Know where all of the exits are and have a plan as to how each family member will escape in the event of a fire. Even if you live by yourself, know how you would escape and how you’d save your pet if you have one. Be able to leave your house within two minutes, because that might be all the time you have. Practice your fire escape plan with your family at least twice a year.
Make sure your electrical system is up to code.
If you’re a landlord, you don’t want to have to worry that your building may not be covered after a fire because you were in violation of safety codes.
Test your smoke alarms.
You should have smoke alarms on every level of your home, in every bedroom, and outside of sleeping areas.
Make sure all fire alarms in your home are checked and tested every month and batteries replaced at least once a year. Every 10 years you should have the whole system replaced.
Eliminate household hazards.
Very often fires are caused by the smallest things, such as a cigarette burning on a couch, or an appliance that wasn’t turned off. If you get into the habit of being fire safety conscious, you’ll be able to prevent a fire. For example, when you cook, always make sure the stove and oven are off when you’re finished. If you use appliances when you get ready in the morning, such as a hairdryer or curling iron, be sure to unplug them. If you light any candles, make sure they are all blown out before you go to sleep or leave your house.
During winter, there are added dangers with space heaters. Never place a space heater too close to furniture, curtains or anything that could catch fire. Never leave the room where a space heater is operating, and always make sure you shut it off and unplug it when you’re done using it.
Following these tips could save your life, as well as protect your home from fire damage.
When shopping for homeowner’s insurance, be sure to contact the professionals at Zawada Insurance Agency to understand all of your options and choose the policy that’s right for you.
Zawada Insurance Agency, Inc. is a family-owned and operated independent insurance agency, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, serving central Massachusetts and beyond.