Your Complete Home Fire Safety Guide
It’s a hard pill to swallow, but fires happen more often than you might think in Texas. In 2020, fire departments throughout the state responded to more than 26,500 building fires, according to a statewide incident summary from the Texas Department of Insurance.
This Texas home fire safety guide resource includes all our fire safety guides and tip-filled articles to help keep your family aware of potential fire hazards—and what to do should a fire occur.
Common Household Fire Hazards
Pinpoint the fire risks in your home. Keep your home—and family—safe by understanding the potential fire threats that lurk in every room, from the dryer in the laundry room to your kitchen stovetop.
Understand fire pit safety. There’s nothing quite like the glow of a fire pit underneath the Texas night sky after a long day. But a fire pit can quickly turn into a threat if it’s not properly built. Learn how to safely build a fire pit.
Corral a wood-burning fireplace and stove. While these features add a pleasant ambiance to your home, they can be deadly without proper maintenance. In fact, heating equipment is the leading cause of fires in U.S. homes, resulting in approximately 2,500 civilian deaths between 2014 and 2018, according to the National Fire Protection Agency.
Preparing Your Home and Family for a Fire
Have a fire extinguisher handy. And make sure that you and members of your family know how to use it.
Armor up with fire-resistant plants. Texas is home to several native plants—including black-eyed Susans, red yucca, and Texas lantana—that are also flame resistant. While you’re at it, consider rewilding your piece of Texas.
Have a home fire safety plan. Don’t be caught without a plan in the event of a home fire. Make sure every member of your family—even the youngest—knows what to do should flames arise. Practice makes perfect, so make sure to run through the procedure a couple of times a year.
Outdoor Fire Threats
Prepare for the threat of wildfires. In Texas, wildfires are becoming part of life. In fact, nearly no part of the state is immune to the effects of wildfires as 80% of wildfires occur within two miles of a community, according to Texas A&M Forest Service.
Controlled burns are essential for Texas’ farmers and ranchers. These intentional fires, also referred to as prescribed burns, are planned, monitored, and guided to help preserve the natural ecosystem. Clearing out older vegetation allows new growth while removing invasive weeds and rotten plants.
Keep your backyard barbecue safe. Before you fire up the grill for the season, brush up on some grilling safety tips, such as maintaining your grill and keeping your cooking area clean and clear of potential fire hazards.
Control your campfire. Stay vigilant and fire-aware if you’re heading into the great outdoors by minding your campfire. Put rocks around the pit area and, most importantly, never leave the fire unattended.
Learn more about how to stay safe at home, on the road, and beyond.
© 2022 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
