Picture your home . . . on Fire!
Most of us picture our homes as castles or nests. Places of comfort and security. Insurance agents look at things differently. They have to. Its their job.
“Picture your own home on fire”, was the comment of an old insurance pro that had been in the field for years. “Think of all the questions that the firefighters have to answer.”
“In what part of the home did the blaze start? Are there people inside? How many trucks have responded? Are any ambulances on the way? How close are the hydrants? Is the water pressure adequate? Is there natural gas or propane at the home? Is it turned off? Are there cars, i.e. mobile gas tanks, inside the garage? Are there cars in the way on the street? Are any nearby homes threatened?”
As you envision these questions and their responses, think of the actions that you, as a homeowner, could take to prepare. It may be time to review your escape plan for every member of the family and practice it. Also -
- Do you have the fire alarm number on your speed dial list?
- Do you have a working flashlight near the bed?
- Have you put new batteries into your smoke detectors this year?
- Do you have a working fire extinguisher near the stove?
- Do you know where your gas main shutoff valve is?
- Does your assembly point still work, or have those people moved?
Also consider how your home is situated. Is there someone you can call to assess your location?
- How close are you the fire station?
- What is the water pressure like in your area?
- Can the fire engines access your home easily?
Any thought of a home fire is terrifying. The preparation necessary to develop an escape plan is sufficiently worrisome that people can put it off so that they will not have to have think about it. But that is short-sighted. A handy extinguisher or a quick exit give you options in the event of a calamity. They can help a great deal.
For more information, look at the -
- Fire Safety site,
- USFA guide, and
- NACHI check list.
Have you practiced your escape plan lately?
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