Hey y'all,
We are seeing an increasing number of house fires this year, and almost all of them are in older homes which haven't had the electricity updated, or in mobile homes. Regardless of the type of home you live in, there are precautions you can take to prevent losing everything.
I just got back from a house fire that killed three pets, last week a child was severely injured, and also last week a single mom of 4 lost all of her children's clothes, toys, and furniture.
Please take the time to check your home for fire hazards.
- Replace furnace filters on time. Check them regularly.
- Check the batteries on your smoke detectors. If you do not have a smoke detector, contact your local American Red Cross office and set up a FREE install.
- If you have pre-1980 wiring in your home, make sure it isn't overloaded by electronics. Unplug things you don't use regularly.
- All heaters need space. Keep pets, kids, and flammable items at least 3 feet away from heating equipment (including paper, matches, bedding, furniture, clothing, carpets, rugs, etc.).
- Never leave a fire unattended. This includes fireplaces, outdoor grills, outdoor fire pits, and candles.
- I know I did this when I lived in a slum, but please don't ever use a stove or an oven to heat your home. It also increases the chances of injury to yourself, your pets, and your children.
- And I know this sucks, but don't leave a portable space heater on when you leave the house OR when you sleep. Waking up to a fire lowers your chance of survival.
- Do not go near downed power lines.
- If your power goes out, try to use flashlights instead of candles. If you have to use candles, use smaller ones like tealights with a 2-hour flame and keep them a minimum of 2 feet away from anything that can catch fire, especially blankets and curtains.
- If you use candles, blow them out when you leave a room.
- If there is an electrical storm, unplug sensitive electronics.
- Please get a carbon monoxide detector. CO is virtually undetectable until you're already poisoned. It can kill you in your sleep by depriving the body of oxygen. It is more likely to affect pets, children, and people who are lying down first because it sits lower in the air.
- If you are renting from a slumlord: chances are higher that if a house fire occurs, they will blame you. Photograph the interior of your home once each winter to prove that you didnt overload outlets or keep the couch too close to a heater if a fire occurs, and provide this informstion ONLY tontyebfire department and your lawyer. Make sure you are doing what you can control to keep you and your family safe. Contact your local fire department for info regarding tenant rights during and after a fire in your county.
- GET RENTERS INSURANCE. It is cheap, especially compared to the cost of everything you love in your home. Mine is $120 per year for $40k in coverage. The average that I've seen is $55-$150 per year. Shop around for the best rate in your area, it is 100% worth it. After getting the insurance, document the serial numbers of every major electronic in your home. Gaming consoles, TV, blenders, laptops, and even your phone. There is no guarantee your phone will make it outside with you during a fire.
Please keep yourself and your family safe this winter.
If a house fire does occur, even if you have a place to stay while recovering, please call your local Red Cross. You may be eligible for financial assistance, medical and spiritual care, and mental health care. A Disaster Action Team member will contact you and get your case opened and get you started on your recovery, likely with financial assistance, and a case worker will follow up shortly after.
We can also help replace medical equipment, prescriptions, disability aids (including glasses, compression socks, and wheelchairs), and overnight necessities like toothpaste and deodorant.
If you or someone you know has suffered a disaster like a home fire, please contact the Red Cross.
