The NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) determined that United States fire departments responded to to 1,642,500 residential and commercial fires. This totalled 3,345 civilian casualties and 16,400 injuries with an estimated $11,307,000,000 in property loss. Obviously it is very important to take fire preventiion seriously and agressively. The protection that is available should not be looked over as your life or those who you care most about could be at stake.

Every year the news seems to hold story after story of hundreds to thousands of acers . Some are due to wild fires and many are for other reasons. Houses and businesses after often caught up in these disasters and some can't even be prevented. There are many incidents that can be minimized and many times prevented all together.

Prevention is the first step to protection. Fire retardant sprays and stopping products tend to be the first step in fire proofing your structure. If the structure is not able to burn it is less likely to allow a fire to spread or even start in the first place. These retardants can be very effective, environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and non-hazardous. These work great on drywall, wood, and synthetic fabrics both indoors and outdoors.

Another very common preventive measure is the use of smoke alarms because there is never a fire where there isn't smoke. More than 80 percent of fire casualties are those caught in fires without being alarmed by a smoke alarm. Smoke alarms that use batteries should be changed once to twice a year and tested monthly to ensure they are operating to the best of there ability. Fire extinguishers are also common and useful. These are more oftenly found in commercial areas but should be in everyones house. It is best to have an extringuisher on each floor of your home and check it monthly for leeks. Should an unfortunate situation arise such as a fire, whom ever is present will have better odds at elimating the flames prior to it becoming uncontrollable.

Finally, all common risks should be taken care of with fire prevention in mind. Anything highly flamable should be place a distance from the building or house. If kept inside it should be cared for as the danger it is. Fluids such as gasoline and propain should be kept at a distance from any possible hazards. Light sources should always been turned off with not required and nothing combustable should be placed near any bulbs. Outlets should not be overloaded or extended over multiple power strips. Fuses should be properly replaced when they are blown as well.

Now that you have become a fire prevention expert please inform your family and friends on these preventive measures. Such simple methods mentioned in this article save lives and could one day save one that is important to you.