Housefires are terrifying but you know what’s even more terrifying than that? Basement fires.
In fact, basement fires can be more dangerous than fires in other parts of a house even for experienced firefighters. So what makes them so dangerous?
One of the deadliest factors of a basement fire lies in its limited number of entrances and lack of exits. So if a person gets trapped in a basement fire, it can be impossible to escape. To add to the lack of exits, a basement’s confined space that’s usually underground easily heats up. This helps the fire to spread even more quickly. So a basement fire can engulf a space very rapidly.
Also, due to the HVAC system and flammable materials that are usually stored, a basement makes a breeding ground for fires because of their available fuel. Add them together and you have a recipe for a deadly disaster.
You don’t have to be trapped in the basement for a basement fire to become dangerous. Fires that happen in the basement are severely damaging to the point that they damage the structure of a home’s flooring— making escaping the house highly difficult. However, there are ways you can fireproof your basement starting today. By fireproofing, you can avoid severe damage and decrease the costs of restoration. Not to mention, it can decrease the chances of a fire in the first place.
Here are 5 things you can do to fireproof your basement.
Install smoke and fire detectors
It’s never to early to detect a fire. In fact, early fire detection can help you escape and even stop a fire before it engulfs a home in flames. Installing smoke and fire detectors can also give firefighters the chance to salvage your home and its foundational structures.
Although preserving a home’s structure isn’t a life-or-death situation, the less damage is caused, the better it is.
Ensure all electrical equipment is up to date and is safely used
Electrical malfunctions contribute 19% in house fires. Usually, a fire is caused by flawed wiring or damaged circuits. These fires can happen anywhere in a home and can happen by accident. To make sure your electrical equipment is updated and safely used, you should conduct regular home inspections and repairs by professionals to diminish the risk of any malfunction in your electrical appliances.
Check Your Heating Systems
Around 14% of house fires are caused by heating systems. These usually involve open flames or other flammable materials insight. Usually, homes with a basement furnace are at risk because there is always the possibility that the heat can cause a fire even without a spark. Also, the tiniest spark from a flammable material can cause significant damage.
Look Out for Damaged Appliances
Appliances that are stored in a basement can accumulate moisture which can cause electrical shorts. Electrical shorts can be a cause of fires. Outdated or damaged appliances cause 12% of house fires and can be very dangerous if their safety features don’t work anymore.
The solution to this is to update your appliances and get them repaired if needed. It’s also important to keep them away from flammable materials.
Conduct regular home inspections
Sometimes fires happen because of a human error. In addition to the measures above, it’s highly recommended to conduct regular inspections and prepare properly to reduce the chances of a fire at home. This way, it will ensure that if a fire does break out, it’s not because you didn’t take extra measures.
