Fire Safety 101: Because Your Home Deserves a Plan

When it comes to protecting your home and the people you love, there’s no such thing as being too prepared. October is Fire Safety Month—a perfect time to hit pause and take a fresh look at your fire prevention plans. Whether you're a longtime homeowner or just settling into your new place, a few smart updates today can make all the difference in an emergency tomorrow.

Fire safety starts with prevention. That means reducing risks before they spark and making sure your household is ready to respond if they do. You don’t need to turn your living room into a firehouse—just start with these practical tips to keep your Pittsburgh home safe and sound.

• Install and maintain smoke detectors. A home won’t pass inspection these days without a fire detector, but that doesn’t stop homeowners from disabling or ignoring these crucial life saving devices. While it might be momentarily frustrating if your detector sounds the alarm when trying to bake cookies, it could be the difference in saving your life in the event of a real emergency. Smoke detectors are affordable and can easily be installed with the most basic of tools- some even come with adhesive so you can stick them right up on a wall or the ceiling. Some smoke detectors will also alert you if other harmful substances are present in your home, such as carbon monoxide. Detectors should be checked regularly, and batteries replaced preventatively. Don’t wait until they start beeping!
• Equip your home with fire extinguishers. While you shouldn’t kid yourself into thinking you’re a fire fighter just because you have an extinguisher, small fires can be contained easily when you have the right tool for the job- and know how to use it. Understand the differences between varieties of extinguishers, and make sure they’re placed in accessible locations where you can get to them in a hurry. Using the wrong extinguisher can actually make the fire spread- or even explode. For example, “Class K” extinguishers are specifically designed with kitchens in mind, and are designed to be safely used on oils and fats, common in kitchen fires. Extinguishers also expire over time and loose their effectiveness, so make sure you keep yours within date.
• According to FEMA, of the approximate 345k residential house fires reported in 2023, nearly 50% started as a result of cooking gone wrong. Cooking involves heat, open flames, oils, and other substances that can catch fire in a moment’s notice. Want to avoid a cooking fire? Always keep an eye on what you’re cooking! Don’t leave your dinner unattended while you chat with guests in the other room. Child-proofing your kitchen is a great idea for families, and will help prevent all sorts of accidents, including those which are fire related.
• As we enter the cooler months, it’s important to remember that heating sources like fire places, radiators, and electric heaters account for more than 8% of house fires. Space heaters are great for keeping you warm- but you’ll need to use them correctly to prevent the risk of a fire.
• Electrical problems also account for nearly 8% of house fires. If you smell burning when turning on a device or switching on a light, take note- and take immediate action! Start by turning off your power and getting in touch with an electrician. Speaking of breaker boxes and service panels- do not neglect a breaker that keeps popping! That is a sign that there’s something wrong, and you need to get an electrician on the job ASAP.
• Careless, reckless, and negligent behavior accounts for another 9.2% of house fires. This ranges from smoking in your home to a kid playing with a lighter. Make sure that everyone in your home understands the risks of fire, and knows what not to do.
• Fires spread quickly and violently, and may not even start inside your home. Exterior fires can move through wooded areas and communities- so have comprehensive plans in place for a wide variety of possibilities. Keep documents and valuables inside fire-rated safes, so that you don’t need to worry about them during an emergency. Have multiple escape routes planned, along with meeting spots. In the event of an emergency, you want to know what to do as second nature- so practice! Fire drills aren’t just for schools. Practice using your old fire extinguisher, in a well ventilated area.

When you’re a kid, they teach you all about how to stop, drop, and roll… good advice, but hardly a full understanding of the risks regarding home fires. Want a better understanding, without feeling like you’re ready to join up as a volunteer firefighter? This basic guide will help you know the ABC’s of fire safety in the home. Not only can it help you protect yourself, your family, and your home- but you’ll also help limit the risks first responders face when they rush into to a burning building. Looking out for yourself and doing the right thing has never been so easy!