This home was destroyed by a recent fire.

I went by to visit some nice folks whom I helped buy a home recently in Southern Wake County.  On the way in, I saw this sad image two doors down from my clients' new address.  When my clients answered the door, I asked them about it.  Of course, fire came visiting at night.   They couldn't tell me much else.  I know enough to know that this is not a happy story.  Someone lost a home.

I'm no claims adjuster, but it seems to me that this home is a total loss.  I only hope no one was home, or that they all escaped safely.

Can it happen to you?  Have you surveyed your home for fire safety?

The first step is fire prevention.

1.  Keep matches and lighters in a safe place away from children.

2.  Don't smoke in bed, or on upholstered furniture.

3.  Control flammable home materials like drapes and bedding, and minimize unnecessary clutter.

4.  Don't keep flammable fuels, gasoline, kerosene, or fuel-powered equipment in the garage, the crawlspace, or the basement, on the porch, or in other attached storage areas.

5.  Have fireplace flues inspected every couple of years.  Keep chimneys cleaned if burning wood.

6.  Maintain clearances around fuel-burning equipment like furnaces, gas water heaters, or space heaters.  Do not lean objects against such equipment.

7.  Have electrical work and fuel piping and fuel-burning appliance work done by licensed professionals.

8.  If your fire department offers a service of home checks for fire safety, take advantage of it.

In the event of a fire, be prepared:

1.  Have functional smoke detectors, at least one in each sleeping area.  Check the function regularly.  Install new batteries every spring and fall.  The picture below shows a smoke detector that tenants disabled because of the chirping from a dead battery:

As a landlord, you may have additional challenges to protecting your tenants and your building.  This is a picture of one of three smoke detectors that my tenants disabled because they chirped when the battery died.  It is a common problem.

2.  Have an escape plan, including all family members, and pets.  In today's split bedroom floor plans, there may be no opportunity to cross the house to go into the kids' rooms.  Teach them how to get themselves out of the house.  Then have a meeting place outside for all to assemble to be accounted for.  Practice the drill!

3.  Have a fire extinguisher, particularly a BC model for grease fires in the kitchen.  But recognize that your first job is to be safe and make sure all are out of the house.  This home can be rebuilt.  Safely escaping makes that possible.  Being a live parent is better than being a dead hero.

4.  Consider having a safety escape ladder for second or third story bedrooms.  Ladders made of chains that hook over window sills can provide an escape route when other egress is blocked by flame.

5.  Make certain you have adequate fire insurance.  You will need enough coverage to replace your home, including being built to meet current building codes.  Typically, you should not have to insure for the value of the land, since it is not destroyed in a fire.  Check with your Home Owners' Insurance agent to have your coverages reviewed.

After a fire:

1.  Count heads.  And, count your blessings, when you know all are safe,.

2.  Contact your insurance agent to get the claims process initiated.

3.  Protect personal property, when the fire department allows you access to the property.  Again, use great care, and preferably, do not enter the home.  A fire-damaged structure can be very dangerous.  Your insurance company should be able to provide you with a reconstruction company to help with salvage and protection of the property.

 For more information on fire prevention and safety:

NFPA:  Learning for Kids and Families

BE SAFE!