SRH Fire Protection

Would you know what to do if a fire started in your home? Would your kids know? Take the time now to review fire safety facts and tips so your family will be prepared in the event of a fire emergency in your home.

Fire Prevention
Of course, the best way to practice fire safety is to make sure a fire doesn't break out in the first place. That means you should always be aware of potential hazards in your home.

Start by keeping these tips in mind:

1.Electrical Appliances, Cords, and Outlets

Are your electrical appliances in good condition, without loose or frayed cords or plugs?
Are your outlets overloaded with plugs from the TV, computer, printer, video game system, and stereo?
Are you overusing an extension cord?
Do the light fixtures in your home use bulbs that are the correct wattage?
Does your home contain GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters) and/or AFCIs (arc fault circuit interrupters), which prevent electrical shock and fire by shutting off faulty circuits?
Look around your house for potential problems.
And unless you're a trained electrician, be careful about do-it-yourself electrical projects. Studies have shown that many home fires are caused by improper installation of electrical devices.

Other tips:

Replace or professionally repair any appliances that spark, smell unusual, or overheat.
Don't run electrical wires under rugs.
Make sure lamps and night-lights are not touching bedspreads, drapes, or other fabrics.
Use caution when using electric blankets.
Don't let kids use kitchen appliances by themselves and supervise any art or science projects that involve electrical devices.
Cover any outlets that are not in use with plastic safety covers if you have toddlers or young children in your home.

Landscaping a garden for fire protection

1.Plant screening trees.
2.Build stone walls as a radiant heat shield.
3.Position lawns and other low fire risk features between houses and where a veldfire is most likely to approach from.
4.Maintain green lawns, cultivated soils or gravelled areas beneath trees.
5.Remove dead trees, branches and leaves.
6.Prune lower branches to avoid continuous fuel from ground to tree canopy.
7.Remove trees close to house or overhanging or touching a house.
8.Ensure trees are a safe distance from buildings and power lines.
9.Avoid dense clumps of trees and remove highly flammable trees.
10.Maintain building protection zones around all buildings.