Dan's Papers - August 17, 2007

It is not difficult for a fire to start in a fraction of a second; all it takes is a small spark combined with a bit of oxygen and a flammable substance. In 2005 alone, according to the United States Fire Administration (U.S.F.A), there were 396,000 residential structure fires, which resulted in over three thousand deaths and more than thirteen thousand injuries. These numbers are atrocious. However, by fireproofing one's house and taking a few basic precautions, these casualties can be reduced significantly.

One of the primary lines of defense that one can take to fireproof a house is installing smoke alarms. Set up at least one alarm on each floor of the house including the basement (where the furnace and electrical panel are located) and the attic. Because the batteries have a limited life expectancy, check them at least twice a year and test the smoke alarms every month to make sure they are working correctly. At the same time, though, it is important to understand that just because a battery is working, this does not mean the overall alarm is functioning. The best way to check the device is to expose it to actual smoke. Therefore, to prevent a damaged broomstick, a broken smoke alarm, and a splitting headache, it is essential to use a kitchen fan while cooking.

The next crucial step in creating a fireproof house is purchasing a fire extinguisher. Hardware stores and department stores most often carry dry-chemical extinguishers, which can be used for any type of fire including those caused by oil, gasoline, or as a result of electrical problems. Extinguishers are rated for size and longevity. Although the cost increases as the size of the extinguisher grows, this is imperceptible compared to the lives and property they save. Check the extinguisher regularly for leaks and make sure that every member of the house knows where to find the extinguisher and how to use it. In an emergency where there is no fire extinguisher present in a house or it is not working properly, baking soda can be used to put out small electrical or grease-related fires.

For those who maintain indoor gardens, make sure to remove any dead foliage or dry twigs. These materials can spark a flame almost as easily as a cigarette lighter. Moreover, store firewood at least 30 feet away from your house and keep propane tanks at least 10 feet from the dwelling.

If you are making any changes in your home and already taking the time to upgrade the roof or windows, utilizing fire-resistant materials, such as asphalt-fiberglass or masonry roofing, will further fireproof the house. Stone, brick, granite, and sandstone can all help stop a fire from spreading rapidly throughout a house.

Another prudent strategy to fireproof a house is to resist cramming too many multiple-plug electrical adaptors or tangles of extension chords into a wall outlet. By overloading the wall circuit, large amounts of electricity can be drawn through the small wires of the chords, and they can heat up - eventually catching flame.

Some other items for fireproofing a house include having a hose and sand readily available at all times. A hose is a perfect weapon against fires involving wood or fabric. In addition, a bucket of sand can help to extinguish a small patch of flame in case of an emergency. However, a caveat is in order and the use of a water hose will during a chemical fire will help to spread a chemical blaze.

Fireproofing a house is a task that takes relatively little time. Because fires can be started almost anywhere at any time, it is important to understand the importance of these critical steps. Not only do they help to prevent fires from starting, these steps also help teach house owners what they need to know in the case of an emergency. Purchasing and installing the necessary equipment as well as learning how to use them will most definitely help to decrease the number of house fires, injuries, and even deaths.