Here’s How You can Fire-Proof Your Home

Posted on: Mar 23, 2022 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Here’s How You can Fire-Proof Your Home

A house is one of the most precious possessions anyone has. With a house comes immense responsibility and the responsibility of keeping it safe. While putting up that extra brush of paint will beautify your home, you need to make sure that you also address the safety issues. A fire in the house sounds like one of the scariest things one can experience. Though a home insurance cover might be sufficient to give your home a safe feeling, adding fire-proof layers is equally essential.

Fire is something you cannot avoid using inside the home, and there are several means through which fire can go wrong in your house. Hence, smartness lies in blocking those ways from spoiling your house and destroying any precious possession in the house along with your family. For this, you can fire-proof your home. If you haven't yet thought of it, now is the time to do so and take the first step.

Let us understand some ways to fireproof your home with the help of this guide:

1. A fire alarm keeps you alarmed:

A fire or smoke alarm is one of the most valuable tools when it comes to fire-proofing your home. It gives you an early sign of any fire-related threat, and before it spreads, you can have control of it. There are different types of fire alarms, and they do not even require too much space in your house. It can be easily fitted on the ceiling and would install a seamless protective layer without much effort.

2. Use fire-resistant materials:

When you are planning the interior of your house, it is essential that you take care of the safety as much as the aesthetics. Try to use fire-resistant curtains as curtains can be at the forefront of spreading fire to your entire house. Also, as wood can catch fire too fast, it can be smart if you avoid using wood in your interior. Instead, you can use concrete, tiles, etc. Fire-resistant rugs and carpets can help prevent fire spread to a great extent. Keeping your home well protected can not only help you keep it safe but will also help save a little on the home insurance cover premium as well.

3. Keep a handy fire extinguisher:

In the worst case, if the fire spreads in your house, the first and the primary thing you need is a fire extinguisher. No matter the size of your home, you need to have a handy fire extinguisher at a reachable height and place. Everyone in the family must know how to use the tool so anyone can shut the fire in such a situation. Make sure you keep inspecting the functionality of the fire extinguisher from time to time, so it does not fail to perform when needed.

4. Clear the dead vegetation:

Greenery is good and healthy but only till it's green and alive. If shrubs and greenery surround your house, make sure you chop them off from time to time and remove all the dry and dead vegetation. They are highly flammable and can quickly help in spreading fire. You can either do so on weekends or hire a professional for this job.

5. Windows can be the source:

Windows are meant to protect your house from dust, debris, and excess sun rays. However, these windows are also prone to break in case of excessive heat from the fire. So, if your house is built near wildfire-prone areas, you must pay extra attention to the windows. Consider remodelling them if your house is already built and you do not find windows too strong against fire. A double-pane window can be pretty helpful. Even if one layer gets broken, you still have the time to save your house from fire. A dual-pane window keeps the fire away from easily entering your house in case of any nearby fire.

6. Fire doors, a way to escape a fire:

Fire doors are highly advised in houses that are prone to fire. These doors are specifically built to hold fire for more than an hour and keep the area outside the door safe. Try to use fire doors in your house so that if your house ever catches fire, the door can resist the spread of fire, and you get enough time to escape and save your precious possessions and your family.

7. Protect the roof:

The roof is the shield of your home, and an armoured roof is all you need to stay extra safe and resistant to the fire. When you plan for fire-proofing, the roof plays a vital role, and you must use recommended fire-proof material to build the roof so that the shield of your home is safe for a long time against fire.

8. Avoid too many carpets and rugs in the house:

Carpets and rugs increase the beauty of your house. However, if your house is more prone to fire or you live in any fire-risk area, it is best to use only required carpets and rugs. Having too many carpets means a higher risk of fire spreading, and concrete or stone floors can avoid fire but not carpets. Use only fire-resistant carpets and as minimum as possible.

9. Construct minimum wooden cupboards:

Most cupboards and wardrobes are made from wood and wooden materials, and they are more likely to catch fire immediately. So, it is best advised to use only fire-resistant material for such purpose, moreover, one should avoid unnecessary cupboards and wardrobes in the house if a fire is a concern.

10. Keep chemicals aloof:

If you store chemicals or inflammable material in your house, make sure they are kept aloof and not in any house's common area. Chemicals and combustibles can lead to disastrous situations, so they must be stored at an isolated place and must be well covered.

Conclusion

It is not possible to build a house that is 100% fire-proof where you can sleep without any worries of fire. However, taking precautions, staying alert, and having a home insurance cover is what you can do to avoid any major consequences. For this, you can follow the above-mentioned tips. You can also conduct regular fire inspections in your house to make sure everything is safe and secure and there is no threat of fire in the house. Regular auditing is a key to ensuring safety. Taking preventive measures can keep you away from any severe loss and your home and family safe. Use fire-resistant building material and items in the house. Stay alert and stay safe!

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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