Top Fire Safety Tips for Portage County

7/7/2019 (Permalink)

Accidents DO happen. If you find yourself needing emergency services, SERVPRO of Portage County is there to help you 24 hours, 7 days per week.

The National Interagency Fire Center have been confusing and somewhat contradictory as of late. While they said that spring 2019 wildfire activity should be normal, they also stated that late summer wildfire activity may be especially severe in some areas. 

Forest Service claims that each year, the season for wildfires becomes longer, hotter, and, in turn, more expensive.

Do Your Due Diligence: Cooking remains top of the list for residential fires. Continue to be aware of your surroundings, and use caution when you prepare meals. Accidents happen, but safety measures can help prevent some accidents.

Another area on the rise is rental property structural fires. Vacation rentals using places like Airbnb are not held to the same standards as hotels and the like. Look for these safety precautions in the places you visit and stay as a traveler. And, renal owners, equipping your facility with fire-prevention tools and information is protection for both you and your guests that may be well-worth the investment.

Here are the top fire safety tips for you to follow:

1. Keep the stovetop clear of anything that could catch fire (i.e. towels or curtains)
   
   
2. Electrical outlets should remain free of adapters and multiple cords.
   
   
3. Pathways around the home need to be clear to avoid tripping (including holiday decorations).
   
   
4. A designated outdoor smoking area (when allowed) should be placed far enough away from the building with a specific, safe discard bin for butts (i.e. a deep, sturdy ashtray).
   
   
5. Teach children 9-1-1 or local emergency number, how, and when to call from cell phones or outside telephones.
   
   
6. Create a designated family meet-up place a safe distance from the home in case of an emergency.
   
   
7. Doors and windows leading outside should have the ability to open.
   
   
8. Identify escape routes from each room in the house, and routinely go through them, in the event of an emergency.
   
   
9. Memorize the address of your home and any vacation rental you visit (each member of the family).
   
   
10. Ensure vacation rental has printed and visible floor plan of property with escape routes, exits, and emergency contact information.
    
    
11. Place carbon monoxide alarms in various locations throughout the home as required by law, codes, or standards such as every level of the home and outside each bedroom.
    
    
12. Portable fire extinguishers should be easily found and reached in the home.
    
    
13. Install smoke alarms on every level, in rooms, and outside bedrooms (look into requirements) and check them regularly; interconnecting them works best so when one sounds, they all sound.

Accidents DO happen. If you find yourself needing emergency services, SERVPRO of Portage County is there to help you 24 hours, 7 days per week. We even help on holidays because we know accidents aren't planned. Our well-trained professionals are here to make it “Like it never even happened.”