Imagine if you will, a fire.
It starts out small at first, a simple ember, a spark, then it begins to grow; it spreads out over the floor boards, fanning out to the curtains, then to the ceiling.
It burns everything in its path, books, photo albums, clothes, shoes, desks, chairs, and more.
It keeps burning until nothing is left.
It burns until everything turns pitch black, charred and ruined.
Now imagine this is your home.
Not a pretty sight, is it? Fires are a real threat to your family's safety and to your home security.
If you don't want your home to be engulfed in flames, take these precautions.
First thing's first, although you may make fire a top priority on your home security agenda, fires can and do happen, so you should be prepared in the event that one does happen.
Therefore, prepare a plan.
Make an outline of the layout of your house.
Mark clearly all exits and windows.
Make sure to highlight two exits for each bedroom.
Then, decide on a meeting place.
This should be somewhere relatively distant from your home, but well marked out, like a large tree or mailbox in a neighbor's yard.
Next, discuss and practice your plan.
In fact, practice it often.
The more the better.
You can never be too cautious when it comes to home security.
Also, if you have a pet, be sure to include it in your plans.
Remember, practice, practice, practice.
As for preventing fires, consider these tips.
During the winter, the number of fires increases significantly.
Have your furnace inspected by a technician to make sure it is working properly.
Not only will you rest assured that it won't start a fire, you will also make your furnace more efficient.
Furnaces tend to build up dust, causing the fixtures to be clogged, and limiting air flow.
This in turn could cause your furnace to overheat, so do be sure to have it checked.
Next, make sure that your chimney is clear.
Often the flue can get clogged and the buildup can really pose a home security risk.
If you are using a space heater, be aware.
Space heaters have been known to cause numerous home fires, many of which result in death.
Keep any flammable materials such as newspapers or even bed sheets away from the vicinity of your heater.
Also, be aware of what kind of fuel you are using.
Candles and incense also present a problem, especially when children are involved.
Never leave a candle unattended.
If children are around, supervise them.
Do not keep matches in reach of your kids, and do not let them play with candles or cigarette lighters.
Check all your wires.
Overheated wires can easily cause a spark which in turn can cause a serious fire.
Make sure all of your electronics are far away from any flammable materials.
Invest in a home alarm system with a fire alarm included.
Modern home alarms can detect any rises in temperature as well as any spike in carbon monoxide levels.