Embarking on home improvement projects is a great way to revitalize a living space, but it also provides an opportunity to enhance safety measures. Home renovations often involve work in crawl spaces and attics, where fires can easily start unnoticed. Additionally, renovations can bring about electrical work that increases the risk of fire damage, making fire prevention a critical element of any home remodel.
The start of October marks National Fire Prevention Month, making it the perfect time to highlight and encourage the adoption of the latest fire safety upgrades for homes and apartment buildings. These important safety features, like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, can help to minimize property damage and protect lives. For more https://www.sellmyhousefastntx.com/we-buy-houses-fast-forest-hill-tx/
A debilitating fire is one of a homeowner’s worst nightmares, with the efforts required to clean up and replace damaged items and equipment costing thousands
of dollars. This makes fire safety upgrades, like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, an essential component of any home remodel or renovation.
Smoke Detectors: According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of five home fire deaths occur in homes with alarms that are either non-functioning or improperly installed. Smoke alarms are a simple upgrade that can save lives, reduce property damage and provide peace of mind.
Upgrade to AFCI-ready outlets: Electrical fires are responsible for many home fires and account for over 100 consumer injuries on average each year. Upgrading to AFCI-ready outlets that include arc fault circuit interrupters can significantly reduce the risk of fires caused by overheating.
Kitchen Remodels: Incorporate fire-resistant countertops and backsplashes, ovens and stoves into any new kitchen remodel. Installing tempered glass windows, which are less likely to shatter in the face of intense heat, can also improve a home’s resistance to fire.
Apartment Buildings: For apartment properties, consider a fire safety evaluation that looks at both the exterior and interior of the building. The evaluation should identify risks associated with outdated wiring and historical construction materials, and suggest improvements that will bring the property into compliance with local fire codes.
Wildfire Risk:
As the summer of 2024 unfolds, more and more acres have burned across the country than during the entire year of 2023. The risk to residential communities from wildfires is growing, and it’s up to homeowners in high-wildfire-risk areas to take steps to reduce the threat to their property. Some of the best ways to do so include clearing Defensible Space, creating firebreaks around the property with the use of boulders and rockfalls, incorporating fire-resistant landscaping into any landscaping project, repairing roofs, installing a ridge vent, and ensuring that flammable plants are kept away from the house.