What to Do when a House Fires?

The very hot weather in recent times has indeed become a challenge. But what must be realized is that along with the temperature that is kept high, there is also a drought that hits. The risk of house fires has also increased, and there have been quite a number of incidents in some areas.

With conditions like this, it is important for everyone to know more information about fires. Starting from the causes and triggers, then what to do if this happens, and how to anticipate so that a fire does not occur, you can find all the explanations in this short article.

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No Small Material Loss

Of course, when the house fires, there will be material losses that are not small. In addition, there are still other intangible material losses, which of course are of enormous value. This is why you need to know exactly what the causes are, so you can take the right anticipatory steps.

In addition, because there is a big risk, it's also a good idea to have insurance on the house that you live now as a strategic step to reduce losses that arise. Some benefits will provide significant relief, so you can get up quickly.

Identify What Can Trigger a Fire

When a house fires, the cause can be ascertained in one of the following points. Short but important to pay attention to, here are some things that can trigger a fire and you can avoid it.

1. Environmental Fires

Environmental fires usually occur in gardens or forest areas hit by long droughts. Well,  if your residence is close to this area, then the cause of the fire is one of the fires from environmental fires.

In a very dry and hot situation like now, you must be more vigilant so that unwanted things don't happen.

2. Burning Garbage

Actually, the recommendation not to burn waste has been echoed by many parties because in fact it only transfers waste from solid form to gas form. But there are still people who always burn garbage for a quick solution to this accumulated waste.

Fire licks from burning garbage can also be one of the triggers for fires in residential areas.

3. Children Who Play with Fire

There is a good reason why children are forbidden to play in open fire, and various fireworks products must be lit with parental supervision. Children's carelessness can occur and burn objects in the house, thus triggering a fire.

4. Lit and Dropped Candles

This happens often, especially when rolling power outages are being frequent. Candles are one source of lighting that is easily available and an emergency solution for power outages.

But you still have to be careful not to light candles near flammable items to reduce the risk of fire.

5. Occurrence of Short Circuit

Being one of the most common causes of house fires, the occurrence of a short circuit in the cable or short circuit can easily trigger a fire. The sparks that hit flammable objects will soon grow, and the fire has already started before anyone knows it.

6. Forgetting to Turn Off the Stove

At home cooking is common. But fires that come from stoves that forget to turn off are also not small.

7. Gas Cylinder Leakage

Gas cylinder leaks are things to watch out for, especially for those of you who use gas as the main fuel for cooking. When a gas cylinder leaks, an explosion can easily occur and start a violent fire.

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If It Has Already Happened, What Should Be Done?

No one wants a house fire to happen and fall on him. But it would be very unlucky if when this happens you don't know what to do. In short, there are six things you can do when experiencing a house fire.

  • First, don't delay getting out of the house. Forget about valuables and other materials, your main mission is to get out of the house as soon as possible.
  • Secondly, there is no need to investigate what caused the fire, if you have time for this, a house fire certainly does not need to happen
  • Third, if the fire is growing and you are still in the house, move by crawling as close to the floor as possible. This helps you avoid toxic fumes that can make you unconscious
  • Fourth, when you leave the house try to only open one door or window. This is done so that the spread of fire does not accelerate due to the incoming wind
  • Fifth, before opening a door or window, try touching the door or window first. If it feels warm or hot, don't try to open it because there is most likely a fire behind the door or window
  • Sixth, if you run away with someone else, then try to stay with that person

Take Precautions so That This Doesn't Need to Happen

For the preventive steps themselves can be explained in eight different points, based on the causes that have been written above.

1. Use Electronic Equipment Wisely

Connecting various electronic equipment should be done wisely. Do not let you use this equipment excessively, let alone connect several plugs into one circuit.

2. Educate Children about the Dangers of Matches

Education about the dangers of matches actually needs to be done early. By understanding the dangers of fire, children can become more alert and less careless, even better if they do not play with fire without adult supervision.

3. Remember to Turn Off the Stove

Always remember to turn off the stove if you want to leave the house, or finish cooking. Simple tips for those of you who are forgetful, you can put sticky notes in several places for reminders so that you always make sure the stove that is not used is off.

4. Throw Cigarettes in the Ashtray

In addition to turning out cigarettes, also make sure the cigarettes are thrown into the place provided. It would be very dangerous if cigarettes that are still burning are thrown into a trash can containing flammable materials.

5. Install the Smoke Detector

If there is a fire, there must be smoke. The installation of a smoke detector is highly recommended for warning and quick handling, because it can automatically be connected to a water sprayer at the same point.

6. House Fire Extinguisher

Actually, this is in addition. But if you can have a fire extinguisher at home, it will certainly be very good to deal with a fire that suddenly grows.

7. Evacuation Routes that Everyone Understands

Spouses, children, parents, domestic assistants, or and everyone at home should know very well the evacuation route that must be taken when an emergency occurs. Create a simple scheme that many people can understand, and occasionally do exercises for this scheme.

Also Read: Understand What Insurance Is, the Different Types, and the Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Have the Right Insurance

In addition to knowing the causes, how to behave, and how to prevent house fires, as mentioned at the beginning earlier, it's a good idea to have home insurance. This product is provided by AXA Insurance Indonesia under the name SmartHome Insurance. This insurance will generally provide protection for property or goods in the event of damage or loss resulting in financial losses that you experience as the insured, as well as third-party lawsuits against you property bags according to the benefits guaranteed in the policy provisions. Always be vigilant and careful!

*Promo code is valid for direct purchase on AXA myPage until December 31, 2023

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