Fire Preparedness Includes Fire Insurance
On this day in 1752, the first fire insurance policy was issued in what would become the United States. Fires are common; more common than you might think. Statistically, a significant portion of the population will experience a house fire at some point in their lives. Fires can be tragic, but they are also something we can prepare for. Fire preparedness includes fire insurance.
House Fire Causes and Prevention
Most house fires are from one of a few causes. The top seven most common causes of house fires are:
- Cooking
- Heating appliances
- Electrical fires
- Smoking
- Candles
- Chemical fires
- Christmas trees
Knowing the most common causes of house fires, can help us prepare for fires and reduce the risk of a house fire occurring. The American Red Cross says the following are the top tips for House Fire Safety:
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas
- Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries
- Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year
- If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.
Increasingly, smoke detectors in use in homes currently are hard wired and connected to the home’s electrical system. Many smoke detectors that are not hard wired are sealed units where the battery cannot be replaced. For sealed units the entire unit must be replaced when the battery isn’t working.
Most house fires are preventable and the risk of a fire can be greatly mitigated. Unfortunately, the risk of house fires cannot be entirely eliminated. Fortunately, a fire insurance policy can help with some of the risks. Fire preparedness is important, and proper fire preparedness includes fire insurance.
Garrett Leeds is the founder of the Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness Project
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