Protecting Your Home: National Fire Prevention Week

There is so much joy that comes with being a homeowner. Homeownership means picking out your favorite flowers for the garden out front and painting the walls whatever color you like! Most importantly, homeownership means building amazing memories with your loved ones in a place of your own.

There is also so much responsibility that comes with being a homeowner. Homeownership means making sure your lawn is well manicured and keeping your space in good shape through regular maintenance. It also means knowing the safety standards necessary to make sure you and your loved ones are safe while in your home. National Fire Prevention Week is the perfect opportunity to revisit fire safety standards and make sure your home is as safe as it can possibly be.

National Fire Prevention Week was established by President Calvin Coolidge in 1925, making it the longest-running public observance in history! It is observed each year during the week of October 9 in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. This almost century-long tradition is dedicated to recognizing proper fire safety standards and educating children, adults, and teachers on how to best stay safe in case a fire occurs.

While some fires cannot be prevented, there are things you can do to make your home safer! Here’s a list of a few things we recommend.

Check Your Fire Alarms Regularly

Your fire alarms won’t do you any good if the batteries are dead. Make sure you check them regularly and always replace batteries when necessary.

Use Fire-Resistant Materials

If you are building a new home or looking to make some updates to your current home, you won’t believe the wide variety of fire-resistant materials that are on the market today. If the option is available to you, try opting for fire-resistant materials for a little peace of mind.

Clean Out Your Dryer Vent

Cleaning out your lint trap simply isn’t enough. Have you cleaned out your dryer vent lately? If not, this is your reminder. We have a whole blog post all about the benefits of cleaning out your dryer vent and you can CLICK HERE to read it.

Lawn Maintenance

This might sound silly, but did you know that dead plants and vegetation can be highly flammable? That’s why maintaining your lawn and removing any dead plants can play a huge factor in protecting your home. In addition, make sure your gutters are clear of dead twigs and leaves.

Fire Safety Plan

This one may be the most important tip of all. Develop a fire safety plan that includes your entire family. Make sure your children and loved ones know the plan and feel comfortable executing it if necessary. Like we said before: not all fires are preventable. Sometimes there will be things that are out of our control, but having a plan in place in case of an emergency is the best way to keep your loved ones safe.

We are in the business of seeing the worst-case scenario every day. We know the pain a house fire can cause. Don’t let the joys of homeownership cloud you from the responsibility and safety measures necessary to keep you and your loved ones safe. Take this National Fire Prevention Week as an opportunity to revisit some of these important tips.