You may think there could never be a fire at your home, but you'd be wrong. In fact, there are more than 355,000 home fires per year in the country, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries. 

The fact is, there's always a risk of combustion for a variety of reasons, ranging from unattended cooking to faulty wiring. So it's important to do some fire safety planning to err on the side of caution, in case the unthinkable ever happens to your family.

Here are 5 tips to consider.

1. Install Fire Alarms

This one may seem basic, but many structures in the U.S. don't have fire alarms installed — or at least have working units.

That's why it's important not only to install fire alarms in your home (including inside and outside sleeping areas), but also to check them monthly to ensure the batteries are still good. Some companies offer monitoring for added peace of mind. 

Not only can smoke/fire alarms save a life, but they might also be regulated depending on your jurisdiction. 

2. Practice an Escape Route

Devise an escape plan with your family, using a diagram of your house to plot a safe escape route in the case of a blaze. Try to get the drill down to two minutes or less, and give everyone two ways to get out of each room. 

Decide on a safe spot to meet once you've escaped the burning home. 

3. Don't Smoke in the House

If you're a smoker, then take it outside. One of the leading causes of home fires is from lit cigarettes that are forgotten. It can also happen when a person smoking falls asleep or passes out. 

Fire disaster from smoking is estimated to be at more than $7 billion a year in the U.S. alone and is responsible for taking many lives in the process. 

4. Reduce Potential Fire Hazards

There can be many surprising items in your home that can easily catch fire. They can range from coffee creamer (due to additives such as sodium aluminosilicate) to hand sanitizer. If you can, try another brand or method. 

At the same time, there could be other fires waiting to happen in your home that you can eliminate. It could be a faulty appliance, overloaded wiring, or heaters/fireplaces too close to combustible items. Do a checklist of any potential issues and address them as soon as possible. 

5. Have Your Fireplace/Chimney Inspected

Chimney fires are very common in the U.S., occurring more than 25,000 times a year. They can do a lot of damage while going undetected. 

You should have a professional inspect your fireplace and chimney at least once a year, and have any creosote cleaned out that can easily catch fire. For this reason, it may be wise to have the inspection before the first time you use the unit each year. 

Get Fired Up for Fire Safety Planning

Eliminating fire hazards and practicing an escape route are essential parts of your fire safety planning that can protect your family. 

To learn more about our home protection products and services, contact us today.