How to Prevent Fire in the House

Despite the fact that rules for safe handling of fire are known to almost everyone, a fire occurs somewhere on the planet every 5 seconds. We tell you how to maximize your home's safety from ignition. 

1. Pay Attention to Additional Rooms

In a country house, the garage usually occupies the first floor or is located directly adjacent to it. In such cases, it is necessary to install a partition vestibule with a steel door.

Residents of apartment buildings often store sports equipment or baby strollers on stairwells, which is a violation of fire safety regulations: items block evacuation routes during a fire. It's better if your house has storage rooms for storing large items. 

Design: Julia Kalemie.

2. Install Smoke Detectors

A fire can be warned if a smoke detector is installed in the house, which reacts to the first signs of smoke. The detector has a built-in siren that warns of danger, and if the fire occurs at night – it will wake everyone in the house, saving them from poisoning by combustion products. 

If there are several bedrooms in the house, it is advisable to install at least one smoke detector in each of them. Modern smoke detectors exchange information with each other: if a device on the first floor activates, the siren installed in the detectors on the second floor will also signal smoke.

Do not install a detector on the kitchen: due to steam or smoke formed while cooking, the device may trigger falsely. But if a false alarm occurs, for example, from cigarette smoke, it is easy to disable the siren by pressing the button on the device itself.

Design: Tatiana Averkina.

3. Monitor the Condition of Electrical Appliances and Wiring

If you notice damage in a socket, smell an unusual odor, or hear strange sounds in the electrical system – immediately call an electrician. Try not to turn on several powerful electrical appliances at once, as this can lead to a short circuit. Remember that using faulty electrical appliances is dangerous: if the cable of a lamp, iron, or phone charger is exposed, it's better to replace them with new ones or repair them immediately. 

Design: Tatiana Averkina.

4. Purchase Smart Plugs

Before leaving the house, it is a well-known rule of fire safety to turn off all electrical appliances. People who often forget to do this usually experience stress when leaving the house for a long time.

A solution can be smart plugs, which allow you to control household appliances. Protect your home from fire and turn off a forgotten iron easily, even while stuck in traffic on the way to work or on vacation in another continent. Smart plugs and connected electrical appliances are controlled from a smartphone via the internet. This is not only safe but also very convenient: for example, you can turn on a heater or air conditioner in the house when you arrive.

5. Install and Maintain the Fireplace Properly

Remove ash and unburned logs only after the fire has completely gone out. Regularly clean the structure of ash, and once a year (every six months if used frequently), perform cleaning and inspection of the chimney.

It is very important to make a safe area on the floor near the fireplace, protecting it from sparks flying out of the firebox. An additional protective measure can be a special screen, which may also serve as a decorative element.

Design: Tatiana Averkina.

6. Protect Your Home from Gas Leaks

Houses with gas stoves and heating equipment need reliable protection, as even a small gas leak can lead to a fire. Installing a gas leak detector on the kitchen or in auxiliary rooms, which reacts to an increase in flammable gas concentration, can help you timely identify danger and take action. 

Design: Tatiana Averkina.

Expert Tip

What else should you take care of in advance? We found out from an expert.

Oleg Sindiev, safety expert at GOLFSTREAM security systems

Soon the pleasant pre-New Year preparations will begin: buying a Christmas tree, garlands, Bengal lights, candles, and pyrotechnics. Unfortunately, the beloved holiday items often become a cause of fire. Therefore, it is extremely important to find the right place for each flammable item.

Store pyrotechnics away from any source of fire, do not place burning candles next to the Christmas tree, and make sure the garland does not cause a short circuit. Another tip: don't hesitate to spend money on a home foam fire extinguisher, which will help you quickly and independently eliminate a fire source if it occurs.