Fire is a major danger in homes across America. Once a blaze starts, it can spread quickly and can cause devastating damage. To minimize the risk of fire and make disaster recovery easier if an incident does happen, follow these steps.

How to Reduce the Risk of a Home Fire 

1. Create a Plan

Your family should practice escaping from a fire. Have multiple exit routes, such as doors and windows, from every room in the house.

You also need a meeting point where you can regroup that is a safe distance from the home. Identify what tools you might need to get out—such as a ladder or fire escape—and make sure they're in reachable places and you know how to use them.

2. Have Safety Equipment

Smoke alarms provide an early warning if there's a fire present in the home, especially when your family is asleep. Install these devices, make sure they have charged batteries or a reliable connection to a power source, and replace them when needed.

The sooner you know there's a fire, the safer you'll be and the more likely you can put it out and minimize your disaster recovery needs. You should also keep at least one fire extinguisher in the home, with more units placed near specific fire hazards like the stove. Finally, make sure your electrical system is updated with safety equipment like GFCI outlets, which prevent fires by cutting off escaping electrical current.

3. Be Careful With Ignition Sources

Anything that gets hot or creates sparks should be kept away from anything flammable. This includes space heaters, irons, cooking appliances, and hair irons, all of which should never be left unattended.

If you have a fireplace, make sure it's cleaned regularly and don’t walk away while you have a fire going. If you have flammable materials on the property like gasoline and paint, store them in the proper containers with their lids correctly closed.

If you do have a fire and need home remodeling as part of your disaster recovery, choose Solid Management Disaster & Restoration Services in Pagosa Springs, CO. Serving Archuleta County, they are a full-service restoration contractor offering both demolition and remodeling for homes damaged by a disaster. They are available 24/7 for emergencies at (970) 946-4561. Learn more about their services online.