Home Fire Safety
Fire is not something most people spend a lot of time thinking about. However, when you are making upgrades to your house, take the time to consider what you can do to prevent fires from occurring and to minimize the damage to people, pets and property if, they do occur
Safety Systems
Testing your fire alarms twice a year is a good practice to adopt. You may also want to consider a direct notification alarm, which automatically alerts the fire department when a fire is detected in the house.
Heat Sources
Space heaters, fireplaces, stoves, and furnaces are often the source of ignition for a home fire, so it pays to take the extra steps to make them as safe as possible.
For new construction, this means investing in quality products and hiring trained professionals to install them for you. A DIY approach is not necessarily a good idea when it comes to things that are a potential source of ignition.
Also, make sure to educate everyone in the house on how to use heat sources safely, especially children. For example, never place space heaters against the wall, drapes, piles of clothing, or other flammable materials. Be sure to use a cover when cooking anything with oil that could splatter.
Finally, maintenance is critical for safe operation of some heat sources, especially woodstoves and fireplaces. Hire a chimney sweep to clean the flue and confirm that everything is good working order before making the first fire each fall.
The extinguisher should be discharged using the P.A.S.S technique – pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep.
- Pull the pin to break the tamper seal.
- Aim low, pointing the nozzle of the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire.
- Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
- Sweep from one side to the other at the base of the fire till it extinguishes.
- Repeat in the event of re-ignition.
FAQ’s:
- Where do you aim the fire extinguisher?
Always aim towards the base of the fire - How are most residential fires started?
Approximately half of the fires are started from cooking instruments - How long do the standard smoke detectors last?
If kept clean, and batteries are changed every 6 months, they can last up to 8 years.
With the upcoming holiday season, there are always numerous questions regarding the safety of Christmas trees and lights.
Info About Christmas Trees and Lights:
- Fresh trees are less likely to catch fire, so look for a tree with vibrant green needles that are hard to pluck and don’t break easily from its branches. The tree shouldn’t be shedding its needles readily.
- Always place your tree away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights, and keep the tree base filled with water to avoid a dry out.
- Make sure all your indoor and outdoor Christmas lights have been tested in a lab by the UL or ETL/ITSNA for safety, and throw out any damaged lights.
- Any lights you use outdoors must be labeled suitable for exterior placement, and be sure to plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter protected receptacle.
- Keep all your holiday candles away from your Christmas tree, surrounding furniture and décor.
- Bedtime means lights off! Don’t forget to turn your Christmas tree lights off each night.
We have more than 50 years of combined experience, ensuring the best service. Contact us for a free quote and to learn about our fire detection solutions. Call 860 496-7041.
