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Simple Fire Prevention Tips:

Many fires can be prevented from occurring in the first place. If there were only a few simple precautions made on a regular basis, a lot of property and lives would be spared:

Mind your Turkey Dinner!!! On Thanksgiving day, the amount of fires and fire-related deaths double from what they are on an average day.
During the holiday season, keep a natural tree in your house for the least time possible. Be sure to get a fresh tree that isn’t too dry, and take extra precautions around this potential bonfire sitting in your living room.
If you see a fire start, you have 30 seconds to get it put out and contained. After that, you should consider evacuating the house and calling the fire department.
After a natural disaster, such as a flood, hurricane, tornado damage, or severe thunderstorm, be sure to have your house checked over for any gas or electrical housings that may have been damaged in the storm. Try to turn off electricity at the main breaker and natural gas where it goes into house, if possible. The electricity supply should be the first priority because a natural gas or propane can’t be ignited without a source of electricity.
Be sure too keep all matches and lighters locked away from children.
Do not smoke in the house.
Never overload circuits or use too many octopus outlets. If your lights flicker or dim when extra appliances are plugged in, the circuits are overloaded, and you should move some of the electricity appliances over to another circuit. Consult a qualified electrician if necessary to add more outlets or circuits if needed.
Be sure to replace any electrical appliance or cord if the cord is even slightly torn or frayed. It isn’t worth the risk. A fire is possible if the cord is exposed.
Remove security bars from the windows in your house, if you have them. Or be sure that they can be easily removed from the inside in the event of a fire.
Keep the stove clean of grease and build up. Also don’t lay any combustible material close by the stove, such as food cartons, napkins, etc. This is a common cause of kitchen fires.
Never use candles or space heaters where a pet can tip them over and start a fire. Put out all candles before going to bed.

Fire Prevention Devices for your Home

Here are some great things you can add to your house that increase your chances of surviving and minimizing damage in a house fire, some of which may even reduce your insurance cost:

Fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are a very helpful thing to have on hand in the kitchen and in the garage. (You should purchase fire extinguishers that are all purpose rated for both grease and electrical fires.) Also consider adding one to your furnace room or in the hallway near your bedrooms. You should try to put one on every floor, so that you have a fighting chance of putting out a fire if you are there when it starts. If you take this precaution, your insurance company may reward you with a five percent discount.

Safety ladders

If you have bedrooms on the second floor, consider adding a safety ladder in every room. Keep it under the bed or next to a window to allow for quick escape in the event an occupant is trapped in a fire and must exit the window. Make sure all occupants know how to use the ladders.

Fire suppression systems, sprinklers

There are now many home sprinkler systems available which have been vastly improved from their predecessors. Contrary to popular belief, these are not manufactured to all go off at once, or to go off for small things like burning something on the stove. They raise your chances of survival greatly, and protect property as well. A system will cost several thousand dollars, but it is well worth looking into. Many insurance companies will offer substantial breaks for homes with fire suppression systems, so it should pay for itself in the long run. It’s also the most sure-fire way to protect your family.

Smoke alarms, the more the better

Go smoke alarm happy in your house. Consider updating your system, or installing additional smoke detectors. The more you have, the higher your odds of surviving a house fire. You should have at least one on each floor and an alarm directly outside each bedroom. Be sure to test them regularly and follow the smoke alarm guidelines.

Carbon monoxide systems & detectors

Consider adding carbon monoxide detectors to your house as well. Carbon monoxide is a silent but deadly killer. These can be purchased at most local home or hardware stores. While these do not serve the same purpose as smoke alarms for fires, they are most effective for furnace combustion or leak problems and can save the lives of the entire family in the event of a malfunctioning furnace. Approximately 500 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning each year, so it’s well worth the investment. Furthermore, installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home shows your insurance company you are serious about safety, and it might earn you a discount of about 3%.