How to fire proof your home

It’s March again and with March comes Fire Prevention Month. With the summer heat starting to rear its ugly head, now’s the best time to protect your house from deadly and destructive fires. Around 85% of fire incidents were residential, according to numbers from The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Luckily, we made this handy guide to help you fireproof your house.

1. DON’T HOARD FLAMMABLE MATERIALS

This goes without saying but stockpiling flammable materials isn’t a great idea. Your collection of old newspapers might seem innocuous at first, but if it gets really hot, they can catch on fire. Another big no-no to store in your closet is firecrackers.

This would be a good time to listen to a Mari Kondo’s advice. Ask yourself. Does it spark joy? Keep it. Does it spark a fire? Get rid of it now.

2. MONITOR YOUR ELECTRICALS

Multiple appliances connected to a discount extension cord? An electric fan that’s been running for three days straight? Check yourself before you wreck yourself. A lot of fires start because an electrical appliance starts thinking it’s Drew Barrymore auditioning for the next installment of Firestarter.

The PSA says that this is the leading cause of fires in The Philippines is faulty electricals. Don’t overload your extension cords and overuse your appliances. All it takes it a little spark from your extension to catch against a carpet or bed sheet to get a fire going

Another culprit is old, faulty wiring. Make sure you get the electrical wires checked every 5-10 years. This is especially true for older houses whose wiring might not be able to handle the much higher electrical demands of our TVs and computers. Leaks in the roof can also cause water to drip down into the walls and ceiling where the electrical wires are located which would be bad news.

3. FIX YOUR LEAKY GAS STOVE

Nothing beats the sweet smell of liquified petroleum gas in the morning. If you smell gas in your home, be careful and call an expert immediately.

The thing with LPG Tanks and Stoves is that they have a lot of parts that can have leaks and get punctured. All it takes is one spark and kablooey, instant barbecue party. And not the fun kind.

4. TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT FIRE SAFETY

Something we forget all the time is that children can be fire hazards too. We don’t mean they’re all little arsonists in the making.

Due to their innocence and curiosity, kids sometimes play candles and matches. How many times did you watch strips of paper burn as a kid? This is why it’s important to teach them all the basics of fire safety. Children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way.

5. STOCK UP ON FIREFIGHTING TOOLS

Despite your best efforts, a fire could still happen. Always be prepared. Be sure to have fire extinguishers, flame retardant blankets, a pail of water and a bucket of sand at the ready in case the worst happens. You might even be able to stop a fire from getting bigger than it should. Like they say, trust in God but lock your doors.

Invest in fire insurance too so that you have a fallback if you end up in the darkest timeline. But don’t forget to keep your fire insurance up-to-date. Fire insurance values change along with your house’s value. Check in with your assessor every year and upgrade accordingly.

FLAME OFF!

Just use good, old common sense and a bit of forward thinking and you can prevent fires from happening in your house.

Speaking of hot stuff, check out the hottest new bands to come out of the indie scene in the Philippines.