Your home is your safe haven where you feel the most secured and shielded from all the troubles in the world. But what if you didn’t take proper measures to safeguard your humble abode from within? What if a fire broke out and you see your beloved home engulfed in flames? It is too hard to fathom, which is exactly why you need to take every precaution to fireproof your home. Surely there are many fire solutions on the market, but how safe are they given the fact that they contain harmful chemicals.
So, if you want to avoid the hazardous toxins and are looking out for natural solutions, we have got some tips listed below to help fireproof your home naturally.
Safeguarding your yard
- Take a good look at your yard. As fire is used to get rid of waste, it might be dangerous if it nearby your house.
- There will be lot of dead plants in your yard scattered everywhere, so start by clearing them out.
- It is important to pay attention to your foundational plants. If you have plants like firs or pines (conifers), you should give consideration to either trimming or moving their branches. The sap within the conifer is very flammable and will add to the fire’s intensity.
- You can consider planting fire resistant plants near your home. Some good fire resistant plants are Agave, Eastern Redbud, Lavender, Live Oak, Sycamore and Yucca. Depending on the environmental conditions you are living in, some of the above plants may not be suitable for your home. So research well before making a choice.
- Also, keep an eye on your lawn. In winter season, most lawns go unattended which results in dry grass piling on top of wet grass. We recommend that you cut it short and water it daily if the area you live in is prone to fire.
Making your home fireproof
Well, most of the time fires stay low to the ground running along a surface, but it may happen sometimes that a fire may climb onto a tree and threaten the safety of your home. To make your home fireproof follow the tips given below:
- Make your roof wet. A flying spark and ember can get hold of your roof very easily. A wet roof will help in extinguishing sparks flying haywire.
- If there is any wood kept out of your house, pour water over. If there is a fire that is spreading too fast, the above trick will keep the wood from catching fire. You can also soak your doorway, deck, porch and window frames. Just spraying water over will not help; you will have to wet the wood thoroughly.
- If you are renovating your roof, think about installing tile or metallic construction as both are good fire resistants. Granted these materials can be expensive, but they will definitely last longer than their wooden counterparts.
- You can also opt to use a fire repellent paint. To make your paint repel fire, you can add sand to it. The paint will have a rough texture but it will help make your home a safer place.
- For your home’s exterior, make use of bricks or stones. If you were considering cedar shakes, we would advise against it as they are highly flammable. If the above options do not meet your demands, at least construct your base using rock or brick.
Preparing for a fire
Take these tips in stride as it will help you prepare for a fire:
- Get a fire extinguisher which can help you put out sparks immediately. Also, make sure that it is easily accessible and not sitting idle next to the designer radiator in your home.
- Pick up any trash lying around as it can easily catch fire.
- Store any flammable liquids such as fuel in cold and dry place as it can catch fire and an explosion can take place.
- If you smoke, make sure you put the buds out. A lit bud could be the reason behind a fire outbreak if thrown on dry leaves and waste.
- If you feel that the weather is very dry, refrain from using the barbecue or the fire pit.
- Installing smoke detectors at your home will be the best decision to keep you and your family safe in case your home catches fire. If you have them installed already, make sure that you are changing the battery twice a year and carrying out a monthly service check.
Carrying out an evacuation
- Make an evacuation plan and have your things ready in case a fire breaks out.
- Make an emergency kit which consists of your clothes, medicines, flashlight and all necessary things you might need.
- Make a list of contacts on a notepad or a small diary and keep it handy for situations just like this, as you never know when your phone might die.
In the end, we would like to say that assess the situation around you calmly and think of solutions for the same. If you spot a fire beyond your control, call for help immediately and stay away from it. In a catastrophic event, if your home catches fire, do not think about the stuff in your home. Just grab your emergency supplies and get your family to safety as fast as possible.