Fire Safety Tips for National Fire Prevention Week

Recognized each October, National Fire Prevention Week, serves to educate us about the importance of fire safety. Fires can occur anywhere and at any time. In fact, the NFPA reports U.S. fire departments respond to a home fire every 23 seconds. Home fires can spread rapidly, often leaving families with only a few minutes to escape safely. Taking preventative measures and preparing a fire escape plan before an emergency occurs can significantly reduce the risk of injuries, property damage, and loss of life. As such, Edison Insurance Company has provided the following fire safety and escape planning tips:

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6 Fire Prevention Tips:

1. Never leave a hot stove unattended and keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Cooking is one of the most common causes of home fires. According to the NFPA, cooking accounts for approximately 158,400 home fires every year, which makes up 44% of all reported home fires in the United States. If you must leave the room while cooking, turn off the burner or ask another adult to monitor the food.
2. Be sure to have a smoke alarm inside your bedrooms and outside of each room of your home.  Experts recommend testing smoke alarms monthly to ensure they are working properly.
3. Interconnect your smoke alarms. When one sounds, they all should sound.
4. Replace your smoke alarms every 10 years. Age matters when it comes to smoke alarms. Older units may not provide reliable protection, even if they appear to be functioning normally. Batteries should be replaced once each year, and the entire alarm should be replaced 10 years from the manufacture date.
5. Inspect electrical cords regularly and replace any that are damaged, frayed, or overheating. Avoid overloading outlets and extension cords, which can increase the risk of electrical fires.
6. Keep flammable items in open areas and away from heat sources. This includes paper products, curtains, towels, cleaning supplies, gasoline, and other combustible materials. Store these items away from stoves, heaters, fireplaces, water heaters, and other appliances that generate heat.

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5 Escape Planning Tips:

1. Create a home fire escape plan. Review and update your family's escape plan annually or whenever you move, renovate your home, or household members change.‍
2. Each family member should know two ways out of every room.Keep exits, hallways, doors, and windows clear of clutter so everyone can evacuate quickly in an emergency.
3. Plan an outside meeting place. Have a safe place to meet away from your home should your family become separated.
4. Practice home fire drills with your family at least two times a year.
5. Teach children how to respond when a smoke alarm sounds and ensure guests are familiar with your home's escape routes.

Creating a Safer Home Environment For Your Family

We encourage all Florida homeowners to take a proactive approach to fire safety and regularly review their home fire prevention measures. Creating and practicing a fire escape plan, maintaining working smoke alarms, and addressing potential fire hazards can help protect your loved ones and reduce the risk of costly property damage and unexpected losses.

Edison Insurance Company remains committed to supporting you with resources, guidance, and dependable coverage every step of the way. For more information, contact your Edison agent or get a quote online.

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