8 Fire Hot-Spots in Your Home and How to be First Aid Ready

Do you know what fire safety is? It’s all about making sure our homes stay safe from fires. And you know what? Fires can happen in different places in our homes. Fire safety is essential to keep you and your family safe. In addition to preventing fires in your home, it’s also important to be prepared in case a fire does occur. Welcome to our guide on fire hot spots in your home and some tips on how to be first aid ready.

1. The Kitchen

This is a big one because we do a lot of cooking there. We use the stove, oven, and toaster to make our food, but if we’re not careful, these things can start a fire. To keep our kitchens safe, we should always keep an eye on what we’re cooking and never leave the stove or oven on when we’re not in the room. 

• Keep flammable items like paper towels and oven mitts away from the stove.
• Ensure you keep your stove and oven clean, and don’t leave cooking food unattended.
• You should also make sure the kitchen is clean.

Tips to be first-aid ready

• Have a fire extinguisher readily accessible in case of a stove or oven fire.
• Keep a first aid kit nearby in case of burns.
• Have a clear evacuation plan in place in case of a kitchen fire.

2. The Living Room

Another place where fires can happen is in the living room. Sometimes we light candles or a fire in the fireplace, and sometimes we use electric heaters to keep warm. To keep our living rooms safe, here are some ways to prepare for a home fire:       

• Never leave electric heaters on when not in the room.
• Make sure the living room is not too cluttered.
• Make sure candles and fireplaces are put out before you leave the room.

Tips to be first-aid ready

• Keep emergency phone numbers, including poison control and emergency medical services nearby for easy access in case of an emergency.
• Learn basic first aid skills, such as CPR from the American HealthCare Academy (AHCA) and how to stop bleeding in case of an emergency.
• Install a smoke detector to alert you of a fire. 

3. The Bedroom

What can cause a fire at home? Sometimes, fires can happen in our bedrooms too! This can happen if we leave things like curling irons, hair straighteners, and other heat sources on when you’re not in the room. To keep your bedrooms safe, you should always make sure we unplug these heat sources before you leave the room, and never leave them on when we’re not in the room.

• Keep curtains and bedding away from heat sources like lamps and space heaters.
• Don’t overload outlets with too many devices.

Tips to be first-aid ready

• Have a fire extinguisher accessible in case of an electrical fire.
• Have a smoke detector to alert you of a fire.

4. The Bathroom

Just like our bedrooms, fires can happen in the bathroom too if we leave things like curling irons, hair dryers, and other heat sources on when we’re not in the room. What is the proper way to put out a fire at home? To keep our bathrooms safe, we should always make sure we unplug these heat sources before we leave the room, and never leave them on when we’re not in the room.

Tips to be first-aid ready

• Keep a first aid kit nearby in case of burns.
• Have a clear evacuation plan in place.

5. Outside

Fires can happen outside our homes too, like in our yards, porches or on our decks. To keep the outside safe, we should always make sure we properly put out any fires we start, like campfires or bonfires, and never leave them unattended. We should also make sure our yard and deck are not too cluttered.

Tips to be first-aid ready

• Keep a first aid kit nearby.

6. Basement

The basement is no exception to fires. The basement can be a fire hazard because it’s often where many items are stored. To keep your basement fire-free, you should do the following:

• Make sure to keep flammable liquids, like paint and cleaning supplies, in a safe place.
• Keep the basement clean and organized to prevent fires from starting.

Tips to be first-aid ready

• Have a fire extinguisher accessible in case of an electrical fire.
• Have a first aid kit ready in case of burns.  

  7. Laundry Room

The laundry room is another common place for fires to start. You need to make sure to:

• Avoid leaving the dryer running when you’re not home. 
• Clean the lint filter after every load, and don’t overload the dryer.

Tips to be first-aid ready

• Have a fire extinguisher readily accessible in case of a dryer fire.
• Install a smoke detector.

 8. Fireplace

Fireplaces can be dangerous if not properly maintained. Never leave a fire unattended. Make sure it is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.

• Always use a screen to catch sparks and embers from flying out of the fireplace.

Tips to be first-aid ready

• Keep a fire blanket nearby in case of a fire.
• Have a first aid kit ready in case of burns.
• Have an evacuation plan in place.

Conclusion

It’s crucial to ensure fire prevention & safety and to be prepared in case a fire does occur. Having a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, smoke detector, and clear evacuation plan, in these fire hot spots of your home, can help keep your family safe. Stay calm and call 911 right away. The American HealthCare Academy provides online CPR/First Aid combo courses for both medical professionals and laypersons alike. Now you know some important fire safety tips, and you can help keep your home safe too!