Did you know that a house catches fire almost every 90 seconds? Did you also know that it only takes two minutes for a fire to become life-threatening? Because house fires can be so dangerous in such a short period of time, our team at Amy Tounget Insurance Agency LLC wants to share some home fire prevention tips with Midlothian, TX homeowners.
Trim Surrounding Vegetation
While there is no way to simply prevent wildfires by yourself, you can reduce the risk of damage to your home by trimming any vegetation around the outside of the home. For example, if you have any trees and shrubs that are growing near the house, make sure to trim them back. Ideally, you should try to keep wild vegetation 100 feet away from the house whenever possible.
Don’t Leave Flames Unattended
One of the main causes of home fires is cooking. Therefore, when cooking, it is imperative that you don’t go too far from the stovetop when it is in use. Children should never be left in the kitchen unsupervised, especially if a stove is in use.
Fireplaces, heaters, and other sources of heat also pose certain fire risks. It is important that dishcloths, aprons, paper towels, cardboard, and any other flammable materials are kept far away from heat sources to minimize the risk of a house fire.
Use Grills with Care
Heat, embers, and ashes from outdoor grills can easily cause wood to spark and ignite. It is a good idea that outdoor grills be kept a minimum of 10 feet away from the home. In addition, you should never leave lighter fluid, charcoal, or anything flammable near the grill while it is in use. When done barbecuing, use water to put the hot coal or wood out to prevent it from continuing to burn.
There are many steps that can be taken to help prevent a house fire, including the tips mentioned above. In the event that a house fire does occur unexpectedly, you will want to ensure that your Midlothian, TX home is properly insured. Contact the team at Amy Tounget Insurance Agency LLC to learn more about the home insurance options we offer.
