What You Need to Know About Mobile Home Fire Safety

If you are interested in buying a mobile home, you have probably wondered what you need to know about mobile home fire safety.

Everybody knows somebody who has a strong opinion about the safety of mobile homes when it comes to fires. Some of these opinions may come unsolicited! You may have heard them called “fire traps” or “matchsticks,” but…

Let us lay on some truth here.

Mobile homes aren’t any more fire-prone than site-built homes! 

Ultimately, you want to ensure that your family and home are safe and secure, particularly from fires. Modern manufactured homes are built to be sturdy, high-quality, and safe, especially when it comes to preventing fires. Let’s go into more detail about the construction of manufactured homes and the safety measures you can take to prevent fires.

Mobile Homes Today Are Built Under Strict Standards

To lessen risks and aid in the early detection of a fire, manufactured homes are now constructed following strict fire safety standards. New manufactured homes must adhere to federal construction and safety codes, including elements that help prevent fires, since the HUD Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standard was passed in 1976. 

Simply put, your mobile home will be more fire-resistant the newer it is!

You can feel good about your mobile home, knowing that they are built under these standards:

• Smoke detectors must be installed inside or close to each bedroom.
• Each bedroom has an egress window that can be opened easily in the event of an emergency.
• A minimum of two separate exterior doors that can be entered without using other lockable doors. Site-built homes, in contrast, do not need to be reachable and are only required to have one exterior door.
• Strict regulations for the construction of the home’s materials to stop the generation of smoke and the spread of flames.

Steps for Mobile Home Fire Safety

There are several precautions you can take to prevent a fire in your mobile home, and some things to keep in mind in case you experience one:

1. The most important thing to have is a fire escape plan! Additionally, it is a good idea to conduct family fire drills about twice a year. Assign someone to assist any young or elderly people in your home. Ensure that each bedroom has access to at least one window so that you can quickly and easily escape in the event of a fire. 
2. Keep a fire extinguisher in your home that is easy to access. The kitchen, the area around a fireplace, and the porch or deck are all good options. Have it serviced and refilled as necessary, and regularly check on its condition.
3. Keep heaters away from combustible items to prevent them from tipping over and setting things on fire, like blankets or curtains. Additionally, never leave a heater on while you are sleeping or away from home.
4. After each load, clean the lint filter in your dryer, and check the dryer vent once a month for accumulated debris. When you’re not home, avoid running the washer or dryer.
5. If you don’t have several smoke detectors already, get more installed throughout your home, and test them each month. Check the batteries at least twice a year, and replace them as necessary.
6. Keep flammable liquids outside your mobile home in designated containers.
7. Never put combustible materials, such as hay or straw bales, under your mobile home either!

An Ounce of Prevention…

It is always a good idea to take as many preventative measures as you can and to have plans in place for various emergencies that could occur in any home. These suggestions can help you feel more relaxed, and applying them can keep you, your family, and your mobile home safe in the event of a fire. 

Speak with a member at Braustin Homes today!