Guide To Home Improvement - Home remodeling projects, kitchen remodeling, window replacement, cabinet refacing, vinyl siding, and more

It's important to protect your home against fire. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 4,000 Americans die and about 20,000 are injured each year due to fires. You can make your home safer to increase your odds of avoiding a fire in your home but you should also set up an escape plan in case of an emergency.

Inexpensive Solutions
You can purchase smoke alarms for a reasonable price at any hardware or discount store. You should install smoke alarms on each floor of your home and test them monthly. Replace batteries at least once a year. If you think you might forget when you last changed them, choose a holiday or the beginning of daylight savings time for your annual change.

A fire extinguisher can help you quickly put out small fires or contain a larger one until the fire department arrives. Multipurpose fire extinguishers aren't too heavy and are easy to handle. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and make sure you have at least one on each floor and that everyone knows where they're located. If you have a larger budget, you can have fire sprinklers installed in your ceilings. You can also add fire monitoring to a home burglar alarm system to notify the fire department quickly.

Stay Warm and Safe
Heating equipment is the biggest cause of home fires during the winter. About 45,500 home fires were caused by heating equipment in 2002, and the biggest percentage of them were due to creosote buildup in fireplaces and chimneys, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Fireplaces and chimneys should be inspected each year to avoid the risk of fire, and screens should always be used to contain fires.

Central heating systems also should be checked each year. Having a properly working central heating system also decreases the likelihood that you'll need to use portable and fixed heating equipment such as space heaters and wood stoves, which are involved in 74% of deaths in home fires, says the NFPA. Always turn off portable space heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.

Electrical Fires
Make sure your wiring is up to code. Electrical problems account for about 67,800 home fires each year with about $868 million in property losses, reports the U.S. Fire Administration. Most electrical fires are caused by problems such as faulty electrical outlets, old wiring, extension cords, or overloaded circuits. To avoid problems, replace worn or damaged appliance cords, don't overload extension cords, and keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters.

Use common sense and teach family members to be safe. Keep children from playing with matches or appliances, and never smoke in bed. Practice fire drills so that all family members understand how to get out in the event of a fire.

Sources
National Fire Protection Association
U.S. Fire Administration

About the Author
Francine L. Huff is a freelance journalist,the author of The 25-Day Financial Makeover: A Practical Guide for Women,and has appeared on a variety of TV and radio shows.