According to the US Fire Administration, fires kill more than 4,000 people and injures approximately 20,000 more. Nearly 2 million fires are responded to by US fire departments, with three-quarters of them occurring in homes. It is vital to be sure your home and family are protected from and prepared for a fire.

Here are some safety tips to help keep your family safe and to avoid injury should a fire occur:

1. Smoke Detectors / Alarms - Widely available and inexpensive, smoke detectors/alarms need to be installed in all of the rooms of your home and tested monthly to be sure they are working correctly.

2. Avoid Electrical Fire Hazards - Never overload circuits or extension cords. Never place wires or cables underneath rugs or in high walking traffic areas. Check the fit of plugs in wall outlets to avoid loose electrical connections. Poor connections can cause a fire in minutes from overheating.

3. Home Fire Sprinklers - when used in combination with adequately functioning smoke detectors/alarms, fire safety sprinklers significantly increase the chances of surviving a fire. They are inexpensive and can lower your home insurance rates and even increase your property value.

4. Always have an Escape Route - create the quickest and safest route should fire occur in any room of your home and practice it with your family regularly. Teach everyone to stay low to the floor and check with the back of your hand for hot doors to avoid backdraft.

5. Choose the position of your Appliances Carefully - Keep your TV and other appliances away from windows with curtains. In case of a wiring problem or loose connection, a fire that reaches the curtains can quickly spread. Rain or moisture that enters the appliances from the window can cause wiring malfunctions as well.

Contact the experts at John’s Electric today for a complete fire safety plan for your home and be safe!