Articles Tagged "Home Inspections"

If you're currently a homeowner or are planning to purchase one of these Bradenton homes for sale, familiarizing yourself with basic fire prevention tips is one of the most important things you can do to protect your assets. While no one wants to think about losing their home to a fire, knowledge is power when it comes to preventing a disaster. With National Fire Prevention Week starting Sunday, October 4th, it's a great time to review some common fire prevention strategies. Our real estate agents pulled together a quick list of tips to review:

1. Test Your Smoke Alarms Regularly
   Ensuring your smoke alarms are in working order is arguably the most important fire safety tip. Functioning smoke alarms can alert you and your family to potential danger before it's too late. Testing your smoke alarms is easy -- simply press and hold the button until you hear a loud sound. If you don't hear a sound, or if the sound is weak, replace your batteries right away. Make sure to test each of your home's smoke alarms every month.
2. Keep Your Dryer Clean
   The most common cause of a dryer fire is a failure to clean it. Dryer lint is extremely combustible, so you must remember to clean it every time you put in a new load of laundry. Otherwise, it could continue to build-up until it reaches the heating element.
3. Keep Cords in Working Condition
   Frayed or chewed cords can be a fire hazard, so be sure to check the cords of all appliances before plugging them in. Never plug an appliance into an extension cord and avoid running any cords under carpet or rugs, as this could cause them to overheat.
4. Don't Forget About Candles
   Candles are one of the leading causes of house fires year after year. Never leave a room or fall asleep with a candle burning unattended. Also, be sure not to place them on uneven surfaces and keep them far away from flammable materials such as clothing or blankets.
5. Invest in a Fire Extinguisher
   If a fire does occur, a fire extinguisher is your best bet at putting it out. It's usually a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher in every room with a significant fire risk. If you're considering one of these Sarasota homes for sale, make sure to purchase an adequate number of fire extinguishers before moving in. Also, make sure everyone in the house knows the proper way to handle and use a fire extinguisher.
6. Cook With Caution
   If you're cooking, always remain in the kitchen while the oven, stove, fryer, or grill are on. If you have to leave, be sure to turn your cooking unit off, or at least reduce the heat. After you're done cooking, make sure to remove any leftover food particles from the oven or stove, as they could potentially catch fire the next time you cook.
7. Grill Safely
   Everyone loves to grill, but grills can create a fire risk. Always place your grill well away from your home, be sure you keep the grill clean, and never leave your grill unattended. Have baking soda on hand to control a grease fire and a fire extinguisher nearby for other fires. If you don't have a fire extinguisher, keep a bucket of sand next to the grill. Never use water to put out a grease fire.

By taking the necessary precautions and educating yourself on fire safety, you can minimize risk and prevent loss from fire. For more tips on fire prevention, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.