According to national fire statistics uk, In 2014/15 there were 263 fire related fatalities and 7,569 casualties in fires. For every million people in England, there were 4.8 fire related fatalities in 2014/15. This fatality rate increased to 7.9 people for those 65 to 79 years old and 17.8 for those 80 years and over. The causes of fires are not always straightforward but in many cases, taking precautions like switching to fireless candles, cleaning out the lint from the dryer vent and turning off electrical appliances would have prevented the disaster in the first place. There are three key terms to understand when considering the risk of fire in your home – prevention, mitigation and restoration.

What is Fire Prevention?

Most fires in the home start accidentally and the effects can be devastating. It’s important that you know how to reduce the chances of a fire starting in your home and keep yourself, your family and your property safe from fire. In our knowledge centre you will find an area dedicated to fire related articles. Their you will find lots of information to help you do just that. From fire safety in the home, and electrical chargers in your home. Don't forget, if there is a fire inside your home you should get out straight away, stay out and call 999 immediately. Do not try to tackle the fire yourself.

What is Fire Mitigation?

Mitigation is the act of mitigating, or lessening the force or intensity of something unpleasant, as wrath, pain, grief, or extreme circumstances, the act of making a condition or consequence less severe.

Fire mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of both life and property if there is a disaster. It means taking action to understand the risks and taking proactive measures to manage them, such as getting insurance to help fund fire restoration costs or investing in community services.

 

What is Fire Damage Restoration?

Fire damage restoration is a process that begins once the relevant authorities say the property is safe to enter. Smoke is an acidic byproduct of fire capable of corroding and staining surfaces such as walls and counters. This process continues even once the fire has been extinguished so acting quickly is important in the restoration of your property. Keep in mind that in some cases the steps taken to put out the fire can cause more damage than the actual fire. The fire services will use large volumes of water to extinguish a fire and as a result you end up with water damage to the property. This is why proper fire restoration deals with heat, smoke and water damage.

Remember, fire spreads quickly. Your home is full of combustibles that add fuel to the fire. Most fires will spread beyond a contained area that you could extingish quicker than you would imagine. Below are some tips on what you should do when you discover a fire in your home.

What You Can Do on Your Own

• Make that call first – you will need professional help, so before you get busy, call the experts at Tempest Restoration.
• Open all the windows. This will get air moving to push the smoke out of the rooms.
• Move pets and kids to a smoke-free environment. Smoke contains carcinogenic gases that can affect their health. Start with a neighbor you trust for immediate aid then move them to a temporary home with friends or family until the fire restoration is complete.
• Empty your refrigerator and freezer if there is no power. Once empty, prop the door open to prevent odors from building up inside.
• Inventory the contents of your home. Make a list of all items that need replacing. Take pictures of the damage, too. You will need copies for the insurance company, for your own personal records and possibly for the fire investigation authorities. Make up to five copies to have on hand just in case.

What You Should Leave to the Professionals

There are tasks you don’t want to attempt on your own due to the toxic gases or risk of smoldering ash. Fire restoration services have the proper safety equipment to get the work done without the risks.

• Don’t wipe down the walls, wood trim and furniture or any other absorbent surface.
• Don’t sit on or move upholstered furniture.
• Don’t consume any food product, including canned items, that were exposed to the extreme heat of the fire.
• Don’t turn on home systems like the furnace or air conditioner.
• Stay away from electrical devices like appliances, stereos or TVs, until the fire restoration service deems them safe.

Restoration is the key to rebuilding. Keep Rainbow International’s number with your other emergency contacts, then call in the professionals to start restoring your home after a fire or schedule an appointment online.