| Avoiding a house fire seems easy enough, but | | | | conditions because they've literally been in the |
| many people neglect to take the precautions | | | | middle of the fires. Sit up, stand up, or walk |
| necessary to protect themselves, putting them | | | | around, but stay vertical to make sure you don't |
| and their families at risk everyday. Here are some | | | | nod off. Keep flammable matches and lighters well |
| easy ways to avoid house fires: | | | | out of the way when smoking. |
| 1. Smoke detectors -- Easy to install and maintain | | | | 4. Have your heaters serviced and never have |
| Smoke detectors are cheap, reliable, and very | | | | them less than one metre from any other object |
| easy to operate. They're usually connected to the | | | | Whatever form of heating you use, it will need |
| mains and to an independent battery supply. Have | | | | servicing over time. This is an absolute must. The |
| your smoke alarms fitted in a systematic pattern | | | | minimum safe distance from any surface is one |
| throughout the house. A tradesman can help siting | | | | metre, to allow the direct heat to dissipate. With |
| them for best effect. | | | | synthetics and other plastics, further is better. |
| 2. Keep and eye on cooking and never cook | | | | Synthetics are usually extremely flammable, real |
| whilst inebriated or distracted | | | | fire hazards in these situations. |
| The bottom line here is "If you can't do it | | | | 5. Check your gas and electrical systems regularly |
| properly, don't do it at all." Never leave food | | | | Make a point of checking all your electrical and gas |
| cooking unattended, or cook while you can't give | | | | systems. The things to look for are easy to spot: |
| the cooking your full attention. | | | | - Malfunctions of any kind, particularly with |
| There are some ways around these situations: | | | | temperature controls |
| - Prepare food beforehand. This gives you time to | | | | - Plugs or adapters in damaged condition |
| do things properly and focus on the job. | | | | - Any unusual behavior in the systems. |
| - Use ready to eat foods like microwave meals. | | | | - Fuses or damaged gas heaters (pilot lights often |
| The attention span requirement is lower, and so | | | | go out with damaged gas heaters). |
| are the risks. | | | | Mains and crawl space wiring should be checked |
| - Order out. A home delivery will solve all | | | | by a licensed electrician. Do not attempt to |
| problems, and it's far simpler if you've got guests | | | | service or fix gas systems or wiring yourself. It's |
| or minding kids than trying to balance these tasks | | | | not only illegal, it's usually extremely dangerous, |
| with cooking. | | | | and can actually cause fires. |
| 3. Never lie down whilst smoking and keep your | | | | The best way of avoiding financial damage from |
| matches and lighters hidden | | | | fires is a reliable house insurance policy. Make a |
| The "smoking in bed" effect also applies to dozing | | | | point of checking out what insurers have to offer, |
| off while lying down and smoking. Don't do it. The | | | | including a full package of home and contents and |
| risks are serious, and many people have been | | | | fire insurance. |
| severely injured by fires which start under these | | | | |