Somewhere in the United States there is a fire almost every minute. Statistics show that in Maryland over 80% of fire deaths are caused by house fires. Although there are many measures that can be taken to prevent a house fire, some causes are out of your control.
The controllable causes of fire in the home can be fairly simple. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children and do not smoke in bed or while lying down. Carelessness with cigarettes is one of the largest causes for house fires. You should make sure that your kitchen is clean, with no greasy residue on cookware or cooking surfaces. Grease can catch fire and be difficult to put out. Do not overload electrical sockets or use extension cords that do not have power surge protectors. Make sure to keep the outside of your home cleared of brush. Just back taking these simple precautions, you can limit the risk of fire in your home.
There are numerous ways to protect yourself and your family in the event of a fire. Having smoke alarms in all rooms is the most important. Smoke detectors save lives! Make sure that they are in good working order and replace the batteries once per year. Smoke detectors can cut the chances of a fire related fatality in half. It takes under 4 minutes for the average home to become completely engulfed in smoke, causing blackout conditions and temperatures to become well over 1000 degrees fahrenheit. In fact, even rooms that are not on fire can reach temperatures in excess of 300 degrees. A temperature that high can be fatal.
Faulty wiring, appliances or heating units can also cause house fires. When doing any work on your home, make sure you use a qualified and licensed contractor. If you do any wiring yourself, make sure you have an inspector check the work. A simple wiring mistake can cause major damage later if left unchecked. You will need to ensure that you have a solid fire safety plan in place for your family to lessen the likelihood of injury. Talk with your family and explain the best exit strategy for different rooms in the house. If your property has been damaged or you, or a member of your family is injured in a fire, you may want to seek legal counsel. Financial compensation may be possible depending on the cause of the fire. Our burn injury lawyers represent victims all over Maryland. We offer free case evaluations and do not charge a fee until we win a judgement on your behalf. Click here to receive a free case evaluation. You do not have to face the devastation of a burn injury on your own. Our legal professionals are here to help you at anytim