Being aware of your indoor surroundings and staying vigilant are keys to fire prevention. This should go without saying, but reminders are often a good idea. Here are some things to remember.
Don’t overload an electrical outlet. Too many electrical devices and appliances plugged into one outlet will overload it, and can potentially catch fire. It’s also a good idea to unplug things like chargers and other electronic devices that aren’t necessary after usage. The upside to this unplugging, besides fire prevention, is a savings on your electric bill. Even small cellphone chargers will sip power from the outlet as long as they are plugged in.
Regularly check electrical installations and fire protection devices. Any electrical work that is necessary should only be performed by a qualified electrician. Faulty wiring is a major cause of fire.
Be sure to consistently check gas appliances. Any cracked hoses should be immediately replaced. The fumes are dangerous to inhale, and are highly flammable.
Don’t smoke in bed, or leave a lit cigarette unattended. This feels like a no-brainer, but as I said earlier, reminders are a good thing. We hear stories everyday about people who are killed because they fell asleep while smoking in bed. These tragedies are highly preventable.
Two more things to remember. Have a working fire extinguisher, and make sure smoke alarms have good batteries in them. These are the types of things that help keep you safe. They can give you enough time to react in the event of an emergency.