Home fires are a major problem in the United States, and yet a fire in your home is one of the scariest things you can ever experience. Did you know that according to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there were 1, 291, 500 fires in the United States in 2019?

In 2019, a fire department responded to a fire every 24 seconds in the United States, reported the NFPA. A home fire was called in every 93 seconds, a home fire death occurred every three hours and 10 minutes, and a home fire injury happened every 43 minutes.

With such scary statistics, fire safety should be on the top of your list as a homeowner, especially if you live in an area prone to wildfires. So what can you do to minimize the risk of your home and belongings catching fire? Well, here are 5 tips to fireproof your home.

1. Be prepared

The first thing you should do is always be prepared. The truth is that no matter how much fireproofing you do, no home is 100% fireproof. Even the most careful family can be victims of a fire, so you must always be prepared.

Make sure that firefighters can always access your home. Inside your home, make sure that there are easily accessible exit points in every room. If there are windows, make sure they can be opened anytime.

If you have kids, make sure they know what to do in case of a fire. Show them that they need to crawl under a cloud of smoke, and decide on a meeting point where your family should gather after exiting the home.

Also, packing an emergency kit can help a lot in case of a fire. Simply pack clothes, medications, and anything else you may need in a small bag that you can grab in case you need to exit your house quickly.

2. Fireproof the exterior

Unless you’re having your home custom-built, there isn’t much you can do to fireproof your home. When it’s time for you to invest in a new roof, consider investing in metal shingles. However, if you already have wood shingles, have them painted with a fire-resistant material instead.

If you’re thinking of renovating or remodeling, consider fiber cement for siding, as it’s highly resistant to flames and will help protect your home. Although expensive, brick or stone will also fireproof your home better.

Additionally, make sure to clean your roof and gutters regularly. Any dry leaves or twigs on your roof can help a fire spread faster. Tree branches near your roof should also be trimmed.

3. Create a fireproof barrier

Fires can start not just inside, but also outside your home. If fires are likely to start in your area, focus on your landscaping. Creating a fireproof zone around your home is a good way to stop, or at least slow down the spread of fire.

The fireproof barrier should be filled with low vegetation-like grass, extending at least 100 feet in all directions around your home. The grass should be watered regularly to prevent a fire from spreading. If you want to put shrubs and trees in the zone, make sure they are at least ten feet away from the home.

4. Add safety features

Having one smoke detector in your home is not enough to protect it from fire. Smoke alarms should be placed strategically in every level of your house. If possible, they should be placed outside bedroom doors. Once installed, make sure to test them every month by holding down the test button.

Aside from having a smoke detector, you should also keep a fire extinguisher handy. As you did with the alarms, these should be kept in the right places. If possible, place more than one in your home—one in the kitchen, one in the garage, and one in the laundry room as these are where fires are likely to start.

Test the fire extinguisher to see if it works properly. If not, you will need to get it replaced. When using a fire extinguisher, remember to PASS: Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle, Squeeze the trigger, and Sweep from side to side.

5. Keep an eye on heat sources

Heat sources are a common source of fires. Always make sure that all gas or electric heaters are working properly to avoid any accidents. Remove anything around the heater that could block the heat or potentially become a fire hazard.

If you have a fireplace or wood stove in your home, make sure that there is nothing flammable near it. Never use flammable liquids to get a fire started inside your home. Your chimneys should also be inspected and cleaned once a year to avoid chimney fires.

You should also make sure your fireplace or wood burner has a metal or glass screen in front of it to keep embers from going out.

If it happens

If despite your best efforts, an accident happens and your home catches fire, make sure to follow these tips to protect you and your family:

• Exit your home immediately and grab your emergency kit on your way out. Don’t try to save any appliances. Those can be bought, but you and your family cannot be replaced.
• Always crawl under the smoke to avoid suffocating.
• If your clothes catch fire, remember to stop, drop, and roll.
• Go to the agreed-upon spot as soon as you exit your home.
• Call the fire department.

If you’re planning on having your house renovated any time soon, keep in mind the 5 tips to fireproof your home better. Although no home can be 100% fireproof, being prepared can help you safeguard your family in case a fire breaks out. Fireproofing the exterior, creating a fireproof barrier, installing safety features, and keeping an eye on heat sources can make a huge difference, especially if you live in an area prone to fires.