October 6 marks the beginning of Fire Prevention Week, and the Insurance Bureau of Canada offers 10 tips to homeowners to prevent these disasters:

1. Make sure you've installed smoke detectors, checking them regularly to remove dust. You should also test the alarms and replace them every ten years.
2. Develop and practice an emergency preparedness plan with your family. This should include evacuation plans from different parts of the house.
3. Regularly inspect and clean chimney flues, removing blockage and buildup, which is known to cause fires.
4. Make sure that you're using light bulbs with the proper wattage listed on the fixture. You should not use bulbs whose wattage exceeds the fixture's stated maximum. 
5. Carefully monitor heated appliances, including portable heaters, your washing dryer, iron and any burning candles.
6. Exercise caution when cooking. Be especially careful when using flammable oils.
7. Store flammable materials at a distance from your home. Gasoline, solvents and other flammable materials should be kept at least 10 meters away from your house.
8. Clear away dry leaves and debris. This is especially important during the Fall, when homeowners should remove leaves and other dry, flammable materials far from the exterior of their homes —particularly important if you have wood or vinyl siding.
9. Compile a home inventory list, which should include your most valuable items and their approximate value. Be sure to store the list in a safe location, for example, at your bank or at the home of a trusted family member or friend, and also keep an electronic copy. 
10. Put together a disaster preparedness kit. In addition to preparing a emergency preparedness plan, you should also keep necessities and first aid to last at least 72 hours.

For more information about homeowner safety and preventing house fires, contact Fundy Mutual. We take a proactive approach to home insurance and offer competitive insurance prices. Visit our website to request a free quote.