Odds are you know of someone that has lost everything due to a house fire. Fires are devastating even when minor damage occurs and losing it all is unfathomable. To keep your family safe and protect your possessions, here are four ways to reduce your risk of a house fire.

1. Count Your Smoke Detectors

You should have a working smoke detector on every floor of your home including the basement. Now’s a good time to make sure every one of them is working. The old standby of installing new batteries when you change your clocks twice a year is also an excellent habit to get into.

2. Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned

When you do laundry, it’s imperative that you remove lint from your dryer’s filter after every load. You should also have your unit inspected and call for dryer vent cleaning St Louis MO to remove buildup. Never stuff your dryer full and use the coolest setting you can.

3. Get an Annual Furnace Inspection

Another way to increase safety against a fire is to have an annual inspection of your heating system and fire alarm systems saco me. Furnaces should be cleaned and tuned during off-season to ensure they’re in working order. Likewise, your fireplace and chimney should be checked for buildup or blockages such as nests.

4. Keep a Safe Kitchen

More house fires start in the kitchen than anywhere else in the home. When you’re cooking, never leave food unattended on the stove, especially if grease is involved. Grease fires can get out of control in minutes, so always have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.

Part of being a responsible homeowner is keeping your house free from danger for you and your family. Make fire safety a priority with working smoke detectors, a clean dryer vent and by always having a fire extinguisher close by.