Fire Damage Clean Up

A properly working smoke alarm can alert people inside the house/facility to ensure the best chance of getting everyone out quickly and safely. Here are some tips for fire alarm safety:

• Change the batteries in your smoke alarms at least twice a year
• If your alarm is over ten years old, or if you are unsure when you last replaced it, you should get a new one
• When installing smoke alarms, be sure there is one on every floor of your home
  

Escape routes and fire drills should be practiced with your family/employees. Mock fire drills with your children, warning them of such things as hot doorknobs and staying low to the ground to avoid breathing in the smoke, could be life-saving. Material items can be replaced, your family can not! Here are some fire drill tips:

Tweak the plan as necessary: Who may be capable of sleeping through the alarm? Make sure that an escape plan is in place for physically disabled occupants, children, and pets.
Purchase a folding ladder in case an escape through an upper window is necessary.
Make sure that your family meet-spot is far enough away from your house

• Practice drills during less-than-desirable times: in the middle of the night, in very cold weather, etc..
• Tweak the plan as necessary: Who may be capable of sleeping through the alarm? Make sure that an escape plan is in place for physically disabled occupants, children, and pets.
• Purchase a folding ladder in case an escape through an upper window is necessary.
  
• Make sure that your family meet-spot is far enough away from your house
  

• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned every year by a professional
  
• If you have a glass door fireplace covering, leave it open while the fire is burning. This ensures that the fire gets enough air to keep creosote from building up in the chimney. Creosote build-up can block your chimney, causing a chimney fire.
  
• Use a metal screen for fireplaces that don't have a glass door covering
  
• Clear the area around the hearth of flammable items
  
• Never use flammable liquids such as lighter fluid to start your fire.
  
• Only use dry wood - soft, moist wood speeds up creosote buildup in your chimney
  
• Allow hot ashes cooling time before you dispose of them
  
• Never leave a fire in your fireplace unattended and always put the fire out before you go to bed or leave your home
  

• Always place any portable heating devices at least three feet away from flammable objects
  
• Never leave your home or go to bed without turning off your space heater
  
• Never dry wet clothes over a space heater
  
• Check the cord and outlet periodically, if it feels hot, turn it off
  

• Always vent to the outside to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
  
• Follow manufacturers' instructions very closely
  
• Always allow the heaters to cool down before you refuel them
  
• Never refill these heaters inside your home
  

• Make sure your stove is installed properly and maintained regularly
  
• Proper ventilation is essential
  
• Keep flammable objects away from your stove and stove pipes
  
• Check all of your connections every year before you use your stove
  
• Have your ventilation system inspected by a professional every year
  

Christmas Trees:

• If you are using an artificial tree, make sure that it is flame retardant
  
• If you are using a real tree, make sure it is freshly cut
  
• Don't put your real tree up too early, and never leave it up for longer than two weeks
  
• Keep your tree watered at all times
  
• Don't put your tree too close to a heat vent or a fireplace
  

Lights & Decorations:

• Maintenance is key! Inspect your lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, and broken or cracked sockets
  
• Do not overload electrical outlets
  
• Do not link more than three light strands
  
• Check the wires periodically, if they are warm to the touch, take them down
  
• Do not leave lights unattended
  
• Use only non-flammable decorations
  
• Always keep decorations away from heat vents and fireplaces
  

• Make sure candles are in a stable candle holder
  
• Place candles where they can't be easily knocked down
  
• Never put candles on your Christmas tree
  
• Never leave candles unattended