Let’s face it—house fires are scary. No one wants to imagine it happening, but it’s one of those things that’s better to prepare for before there’s ever a whiff of smoke. Even if you’re not in a wildfire area, house fires can still start from everyday stuff like kitchen accidents, faulty wiring, or unattended candles. The good news? There’s a lot you can do to lower your risk and limit damage if a fire ever breaks out.
Stay on Top of Smoke Alarms
They’re small, they’re loud, and they save lives. Make sure:
- You have smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and level of your house.
- You test them monthly (yep, press that little button).
- You swap the batteries once a year—even if it hasn’t started chirping yet.
Bonus: Consider upgrading to interconnected alarms that all go off together, so you’re alerted no matter where you are in the house.
Keep Extinguishers Handy
Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher. Ideally, keep one in the kitchen (since that’s where most house fires start), and another near the garage or laundry room. Learn how to use it—it’s not hard, and it can seriously limit damage in those crucial first moments.
Preventing fire damage doesn’t mean turning your house into a fortress. It just means taking a few smart steps now so you’re not caught off guard later. A little effort goes a long way toward keeping your home, your stuff, and the people you love safe.