Tips for Preventing Fires and Burns in Your Home
Fires and other burn accidents in your home can cause devastating injuries to you and your family. According to the American Burn Association, about 500,000 people in the U.S. are treated for burn injuries every year. However, not all burn injuries are caused by fires. Scalding water, household chemicals, and appliances can also cause burns. Most of these injuries can be prevented by making small changes in your home and taking simple precautions. Below are some things you can do to keep yourself and your family safe.
Preventing Fires In Your Home
If a fire starts in your home, you may have less than two minutes to escape. Follow the safety tips below to prevent a fire in your home:
- Install smoke alarms in your home. Check them every month to ensure they work, and change the batteries every six months.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in your home areas that are likely to start a fire, such as your kitchen, washer and dryer, and furnace.
- Prepare ahead and make a fire escape plan. Think about how you would get out of your house if there was a fire.
- Have an electrician check the wiring in your home every 10 years.
- Have an expert inspect and clean your fireplace and chimney once a year.
- Keep space heaters at least three feet away from rugs, curtains, clothing, bedding, and paper.
- Store lighters and matches in a cabinet and away from children.
- Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Never leave candles unattended.
- Don’t smoke in bed and throw out used cigarettes carefully.
- Don’t let small children play near the stove.
- When cooking, don’t wear clothing with loose or long sleeves.
- Unplug hot irons and curling irons when you are done using them.
Preventing Hot Water or Scald Burns in Your Home
Scald burns occur mainly in the home, usually while taking a hot shower or bath or preparing or serving food. Follow these steps to prevent scald burns:
- Set your water heater temperature at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Hot water above 120 degrees Fahrenheit can cause burns in 2 to 3 seconds.
- Test the water temperature first before getting into the tub or shower.
- Use the back burners when cooking or turn the handles of pots and pans towards the stove.
- Use cool-water vaporizers or humidifiers.
- Do not leave anything hot on a table that a young child can reach.
- Use oven mitts when handling hot food or drinks.
- Open containers that have been heated in the microwave away from you to prevent hot steam from injuring you.
Preventing Electrical Burns
Electrical burns occur when the electricity comes in contact with your body, damaging tissues, and organs. Follow these safety tips to prevent electrical burns:
- Use plug covers on all electrical outlets that a child can reach.
- Throw away any electrical cords that are damaged or frayed.
- Disconnect appliances by pulling on the plug and not the cable.
- Don’t overload power strips, outlets, extension cords, or multi-plug adapters.
- Never use electrical appliances near water.
- Unplug appliances before trying to fix them.
- When leaving a room, turn off all heat appliances, such as clothes irons, curling irons, hot plates, and stoves.
Some Important Things to Consider
If there is a fire in your home, you should:
- Follow your family’s escape plan and get to your meeting place immediately.
- Stay low to the ground. Since smoke and heat rise, breathing closer to the floor will be easier.
- Check closed doors with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, don’t open it because the fire is nearby. If the door is cool, open it slowly and ensure you don’t see flames before leaving the room.
- Close the doors to separate yourself from the smoke and fire.
- Stop, drop, and roll on the ground if your clothes catch fire.
Most burns require medical treatment. If you have experienced a severe burn that requires immediate medical care, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Watch YouTube Video: Tips to Keep You Safe from Burn Injuries. Dr. Mack Drake from VCU Health discusses simple fire prevention and safety tips to keep you and your family safe.
Sacramento Burn Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Burn Injury Lawyer in Sacramento. Burn injuries can affect anyone at any time. If you or a family member has suffered severe burn injuries in an accident, call our experienced legal team today at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly case advice.
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