Are you a fan of NBC’s The Office? You may remember the episode, “The Fire”. In this episode, the temp, Ryan, starts a fire by simply toasting a cheese pita in the toaster oven. Of course, Ryan did not anticipate such a huge fire and uproar- it was only a cheese pita! However, this goes to show that you can never be too educated on fire safety...or too protected! If you are not properly prepared with Virginia homeowners insurance, you could owe thousands of dollars in damages, or worse- lose your home.

To prevent a fire in your home, you should follow these few tips:

- Always watch the stove when cooking.

-Remember to roll up your sleeves when working over a stove.

-Keep matches and lighters away from young children.

-Keep space heaters away from curtains or paper items.

-If you are a smoker, always make sure your cigarette is put out before tossing it.

-Never leave candles burning while you are not around.

-Never mix gasoline and matches! EVER!

These few tips are sure to help prevent a fire in your home. A few other things to remember: have an evacuation route planned, install smoke alarms in your home, and stay protected with Virginia homeowners insurance. A typical policy will cover the structure of your home, replacement costs, additional living expenses, liability and personal possessions. However, it is a good idea to check with your insurance agent and make sure that fire damages are covered! The last thing you need is a fire to consume the place you call home.