Fire Prevention Month: Simple Steps to Keep Your Home Safe

October is Fire Prevention Month, making it a good time to take a few minutes to check your smoke detectors, review your escape plan, and make sure your home is prepared.

Fire safety is one of those things that can be easy to put off. You know you should test the smoke alarms, check the batteries, and talk through an escape plan—but there’s always something else on the to-do list.

October is a good reminder to make fire safety a priority.

Check Your Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are an important first line of defense if a fire starts in your home.

Take a few minutes to walk through your home and make sure your smoke alarms are working properly. Test each alarm and replace batteries as needed. If an alarm is old or no longer functioning properly, it may be time for a replacement.

Don’t forget about carbon monoxide alarms, too. Make sure they’re working and located where they can provide the protection your household needs.

Review Your Home’s Escape Plan

If a fire started tonight, would everyone in your household know what to do?

Take some time to review your fire escape plan with everyone at home. Identify at least two ways out of each room when possible, choose a meeting place outside, and make sure everyone knows where to go once they’re safely out of the house.

If you have young children, older family members, or anyone who may need additional assistance, make sure your plan takes their needs into account.

And remember: once you’re out, stay out. Don’t go back inside for people, pets, or belongings.

Take a Look Around the Kitchen

Cooking is a common source of home fires, so your kitchen deserves a little extra attention.

Keep towels, paper products, packaging, and other things that can catch fire away from the stovetop. Stay nearby when cooking and avoid leaving the stove unattended.

It’s also a good idea to know where your fire extinguisher is and make sure everyone in the household knows how to access it.

Be Careful With Candles, Space Heaters, and Other Heat Sources

As the weather gets cooler and we start spending more time indoors, candles, fireplaces, and space heaters can all become part of the season.

Keep anything that can burn away from heat sources, and never leave candles or other open flames unattended. If you use a space heater, give it plenty of clearance and turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

A few extra seconds of caution can make a big difference.

Make Sure Your Insurance Coverage Is Up to Date

Fire prevention is about reducing risk, but it’s also important to know how your homeowners insurance can help if the unexpected happens.

Your home, belongings, and circumstances can change over time. A new renovation, valuable purchase, home improvement, or other change may be a good reason to review your coverage and make sure your policy still fits your needs.

At Cushman Insurance Group, our local agents take the time to get to know you and help you find an insurance program that fits your home and your life.

A Few Minutes Now Can Make a Difference

Fire safety doesn’t have to be complicated. Test your alarms. Review your escape plan. Take a look around your home for potential hazards. And make sure your insurance coverage is keeping up with your needs.

October is a great reminder to take care of these things before you need them.

Have questions about your homeowners insurance or want to review your coverage? Connect with Cushman Insurance Group.