Having a house fire is an extremely stressful situation and we all hope we never have to go through it. We all think “it will never happen to me” but every year in Canada thousands of house fires happen, some if them fatal. So what can we do to protect ourselves from this sometimes deadly occurrence? And what do we do when it happens? From your smoke detectors to home insurance, you need to be prepared.
Be Prepared… Just in Case
When you purchase your home, you will be required to purchase home insurance and your insurance provider will cover these basic steps:
- Have a working fire extinguisher in your home.
- Take inventory of your and your family’s personal possessions. A video recording is the easiest thing to do, but an item by item list with your estimated values is even better. (Store these off of the premises in a safety deposit box or something similar.
- Have working smoke detectors.
- Have an evacuation plan.
- Follow proper fire safety rules.
If you do not follow these steps, you may not qualify to be covered under your home insurance policy. Many people say they will make certain efforts when they sign their home insurance forms, but then go home and forget about the necessary steps.
Fire Safety Rules
In every home, people should practice fire safety and be aware of the everyday dangers that cause fires. In 2002, over 9000 house fires in Canada were started by cigarettes or “smoking apparatus”. Look around your home and make sure that you are taking the following precautions:- Never overload outlets or power bars and always use the correct pronged plugs for each outlet.
- Never have anything electrical near heat or water.
- Always clean out your dryer’s lint screen and make sure it is vented to the outside of your home.
- Have your furnace checked and regularly maintained.
- Never leave a hot stove unattended or leave dishtowels near the elements.
- Never leave lit candles burning unattended or near open windows or loose material / clothing.
- Check your smoke detectors at least once per month to see if they are in good working order.
- If you are a smoker, be sure to properly extinguish your cigarettes, matches and lighters. It is best to use an outdoor container with water and sand.
- Keep all matches and lighters away from children.
- If you have a wood-burning stove, make sure it is properly installed and far enough away from your walls.
What to Do if You Have a Fire
If a fire starts in your home the first rule is get everyone out of the house. Follow your evacuation plan if possible and get as far away as possible. Once you have gotten out of the home, go to a neighbour’s and call 911. Never go back into a burning house. Remember to stay low, cover your mouth and nose with your clothing and test doorknobs before you grab them. And always remember the important instructions: Stop, Drop and Roll!
If by some chance you are trapped in your house, put as much distance between yourself and the fire as possible. Cover your face with a wet towel if you can and take your cordless or cell phone with you if you can to call for help and guide rescuers to your location.
After the Fire
The most important step after a fire is to call your home insurance provider. Because of the severity and urgency of a house fire, insurance companies tend to make fire claims their top priority. Your home insurance provider can refer fire restoration companies who can complete the initial cleanup and drying process. You should also discuss what is covered in your policy and what isn’t.After your house has been through the first cleanup, you can then move on to a contractor who can restore your house. Have your contractors fill out the proper insurance forms and keep an open line of communication with your insurance provider throughout the restoration process.
It is also necessary to contact the bank where you have your mortgage or your mortgage broker to notify them of the fire and damage as well.
