Red-hot fire prevention tips
Fact: Every 77 seconds, fire strikes a home somewhere in the United States.
To help prevent fire from destroying your home or harming your loved ones, I want to share some fire safety information with you. You already know about changing your smoke detector batteries regularly and keeping fire extinguishers on every floor. But here are some “burning questions” you might not have considered:
Q. Where do the majority of fires start?
A. In the kitchen or cooking area. A fire extinguisher is a must-have in the kitchen, but vigilance is just as important. Don’t leave pots unattended on stovetops, and monitor food in the oven. Keep the cooking area clear of items that can catch fire, such as paper towels and dish towels.
Q. Who is most likely to be hurt or killed?
A. Children and older adults. Kids make up 20 percent of all fire deaths. Their natural curiosity leads them to experiment with fire, so supervise them carefully. Check “secret places” such as under beds and in dosets, for evidence of fire play. Don’t put treats, such as cookies, near the stove. Older adults are more than twice as likely as the rest of the population to die in fires. Living alone and sometimes taking medications that impair quick decision-making can be a deadly combination. Cooking and smoking accidents are the main culprits. So if you’re elderly (and even if you aren’t), it’s wise to have a loud cooking timer and to put out your cigarette the minute you begin to feel drowsy.
Q. Can you name an appliance (besides the stove) that can cause a fire?
A. Try “clothes dryer” Lint buildup can block airflow and cause parts inside the dryer to overheat and catch fire. Of course you clean your lint trap before every load, but when was the last time you cleaned the exhaust vent or pipe? Lint buildup plus debris (maybe even a bird’s nest) can block the outdoor vent and cause overheating inside.
Q. How can Farmers and I help?
A. Check out fire-prevention tips at www.farmers.com (click the Homeowners tab to find them), and complete a Farmers Home Inventory list so you know what’s in your home. Also, call me so I can help you review your Homeowners coverage so you can know your home and family are covered in case fire or another disaster threatens.
