6 Fire Safety Tips in Chicago

6 Fire Safety Tips in Chicago

Every homeowner or renter needs to fully understand the risk of fire. A fire can break out at any time and without the proper knowledge or safeguards, your home, family, and friends might be at risk. Learning more about fire safety in Chicago can easily increase the level of safety in your home and lower the potential for injury or death if a fire were to occur. Learn more about fire safety by reviewing the tips below.

#1. Protect Your Home with Quality Smoke Alarms

One of the simplest ways to practice fire safety in Chicago is to install quality smoke alarms. Find options to add to your home that offers sound and even light elements. When smoke is detected, the alarms will go off and your family will instantly be alerted. With the notification during the first signs of fire, you and your family and exit the home in a safe manner.

#2. Keep Your Fire Extinguisher Up to Date

A fire extinguisher should be located in every home, even rental properties. If a small fire occurs, you can use the extinguisher to put out the flames. Unfortunately, even if a fire extinguisher is in a home, it is usually out of date by the time it is needed. The product goes out of date after so long, so be sure you change out an old extinguisher for a new one when the expiration date is reached. This way, the tool will work if a fire were to occur.

#3. Teach Your Children Fire Safety

Parents need to take time to teach their kids about fire safety. Even young children can be taught how to react when a fire occurs. Points to cover include testing doorknobs for heat when trying to exit a room, crawling below the smoke to be able to breathe while exiting as well as how to leave the home when a smoke alarm goes off.

#4. Have a Fire Safety Plan

Every adult needs to have a fire safety plan in place. No matter if you live in a residential home or an apartment, you need to have a plan of action if a fire were to occur. This needs to include how to exit the home, be it through windows, a fire escape or the front door and have a meeting spot for everyone inside the home once exiting. Practice your plan on a regular basis so everyone will react instantly in the event of a fire in the home.

#5. Inspect Your Electrical System Yearly

When it comes to fire safety in Chicago, the electrical system can be the main source of fire issues. Have your electrical wiring and outlets inspected yearly to ensure no problems exist. Such issues like rodents chewing up wiring or broken connections can easily go unnoticed and start a fire in the home. By scheduling an inspection, you can rest easy knowing your house is not at risk of an electrical fire.

#6. Emergency Kit

It is also essential to have an emergency fire kit in the home. The kit can include a flashlight, battery-powered radio, water, food items, first-aid, whistle to signal for help, dust mask for debris, fire blanket, etc. The items in your kit will depend on where you live and what you feel is needed in the event of a fire.

These tips can help you to be more prepared in the event of a fire. Take time to plan and prep your home in order to keep yourself and your family safe if a fire were to occur.