The Truth Behind Six House Fire Myths

House fires are one of the most devastating catastrophes you can run into, but some misconceptions could make them even more harmful. To ensure your safety in case you encounter a house fire, we’ve put together six myths to be properly informed about.

Flames Are the Biggest Risk

Flames are the most damaging part of a fire, responsible for the structural harm, but this doesn’t mean they’re the most dangerous. Smoke is the real silent killer, causing suffocation and death due to its consisting of carbon monoxide and other deadly products.

The Smell of Smoke Is Your Warning

Whilst you’re asleep, your sense of smell isn’t acute enough to be stirred by smoke. A fire alarm system is the only reliable smoke detection method to help alert you to a fire whilst sleeping. If you want to ensure your home’s fire safety, you can find fire alarms Northamptonshire online, such as at //firealarmsystems.co.uk/.

Smoke Alarms Are Enough to Protect Your Home

This might seem like a contradiction, but smoke alarms shouldn’t be your only line of defence against a fire. Fire extinguishers or other fire suppression systems can help reduce the chance of fires spiralling out of control and can buy you valuable time to escape.

House Fires Can Be Escaped in Minutes

In just 30 seconds, a small fire can turn into a roaring inferno, filling your entire home. Don’t go for belongings – get out as quickly as you can.

Water Can Extinguish All Fires

Water may be able to put out a campfire, but in some instances it may actually worsen the situation. For an oil fire, for instance, it may cause the fire to spread. In these scenarios, having a cover to place over the fire or a fire extinguisher to engulf it are your best approaches.

Modern Houses Aren’t As Susceptible to Fires

This is actually the complete opposite of the truth: older homes are typically made of a less flammable type of lumber, whilst modern homes, by design, can actually be more liable to catching fire.