Do You Have a Fire Extinguisher at Home?

Home fires are reported nearly every minute and a half in the United States.  These reported fires vary in size; sometimes the difference only being how prepared the homeowner was prior to the outbreak of the disaster.

It is important that you arm yourself with the tools necessary to keep your household safe in the event of a fire.  First and foremost, you should have working smoke detectors on every level of your home, in each bedroom, and in the kitchen.  Smoke detectors need to be tested every month and the batteries need to be replaced every year.

Besides smoke alarms, it is also imperative to have fire extinguishers on each level.  Even more important, every person in your home should know how to use them.  Review our tips regarding fire extinguisher safety with the members of your family so they are familiar with operating the device.

  1. Locate your exits. Make sure there are two safe ways to exit before you attempt to put the fire out.
  2. Stand away from the flames with your back to the easiest escape exit and pull the pin on the fire extinguisher.
  3. Point the extinguisher hose toward the base of the fire.
  4. Slowly squeeze the lever and sweep the hose from side to side. Advance toward the fire slowly as you spray.

The contents of a fire extinguisher are highly pressurized.  If you are attempting to put out a grease fire, do not begin spraying the extinguisher directly on the pan.  This will cause grease to splatter and the flames could spread.

Call 911 for any fire.  It is best to have a professional check your home even after you’ve extinguished a fire.  They are trained to look for hot spots that could re-ignite and you’ll have peace of mind that the fire is out.

Larger fires will need professional help.  Seek safety and then call 911.  Never attempt to put out a fire that could put you at risk.  If you do have a fire, once it is put out, call LaPointe Construction Board-Up Service to help clean up the damage and protect your home.  Our expert Fire Damage Restoration team and Board-Up team can clean up the soot, smoke, and debris left behind after the fire.  We will board up any openings to protect your home from unwanted visitors and we’ll restore your belongings and repair your home in an efficient manner.

Make sure your home is prepared for a fire emergency with escape routes and fire prevention tools.  If you are familiar with these items, you’ll reduce the damage to your home and prevent your loved ones from getting injured.  Call our team if you have questions regarding the restoration process or if you are in need of our board-up services.  We’ll restore your damaged home to the condition it was before the fire.

You can reach us at 978-447-5991.  We respond to emergencies 24/7 as we know disasters can happen at any time.  Learn more about our team by visiting our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LaPointeConstruction.