Most of us are taught about the potential for fires when we are younger, learning what to do if we find ourselves on fire and how we can protect others. While this is not something that we think about when we are older, the possibility of encountering a fire is still very real, especially if you live in an area where fires are common. The good news? Learning how to stay safe is something you can do right now. If you want to be protected in the event of a fire (no matter the risk level), here are some tips on what you should do if you find yourself faced with a house fire.
Make sure that you have homeowners insurance long before a fire becomes a problem.
In the event of a house fire, the health and safety of ourselves and our family should be our most immediate concern. However, most people are also going to be worried about the contents of the home as well as the home itself. After all, you will still need somewhere to live after this fire has been extinguished. The best course of action is preventative action, which can be taken by purchasing homeowners insurance for your home.
One major consideration to make when shopping around for the right coverage is being covered for major disasters like bushfires. While some homeowners may already have this with the home insurance policy, it is important to review your policy (if you have one) to make sure that it is included or that you can get coverage. Bushfire protection is often bundled as a part of home and contents insurance and is designed to help you pay for repairs or the construction of a new home, temporary accommodation fees, the demolishing of your old house, regulatory fees for rebuilding, and professional services such as architecture and surveying. How much coverage you will receive and pay for depends upon varying factors like your overall risk, how much your home and its contents are valued for, and what the overall damage is should a bushfire strike.
If you have been looking into home insurance but don’t know how to get started, comparing home and contents insurance with iSelect can give you the support that you need. iSelect will help you to compare various home and contents insurance plans, find the best match for your financial and personal needs, and help you get your new insurance plan set up. A little investment now can make a major difference in the future!
What steps should I take if a fire breaks out in my home?
Now that we’ve covered a preventative measure that you can use to protect your property, what are the safety tips you need to know to protect yourself and your family? If you find yourself in a fire, you should:
- Put out the fire if you have access to an extinguisher and are safely able to do so.
- If you are unable to put out the fire, make sure to get on the ground and crawl to the nearest exit. The smoke that is produced by the fire can incapacitate you if you stand up and breathe it in.
- Use the back of your hand to check doorknobs for heat, and only use exits that are not blocked by fires.
- When you leave your house, run out to a safe area away from the fire zone. Sometimes, pieces of the home may fall off and injure those who are standing directly below. Call for emergency help once you are safe from the fire.
- If you are unable to escape, cover the cracks in doorways and any vents with available fabric (wet is preferable) and contact emergency services. If you live in a house with multiple stories, hang a blanket or something out the window to catch someone’s attention who can call emergency services as well. Should you find yourself on fire, make sure to stop, drop, roll, and cover your face to avoid the fire from burning it.
Fires are a serious matter, and it is best to be prepared ahead of time even if you do not believe that you will be dealing with one in the future. To make sure that you are prepared, use the guide above to take preventative action and learn what you and your family can do if a fire takes place in your home.
Leave a Reply