Home Fire Safety Routine – A Priority

 

Smoke Alarms are the number one fire safety installations in your home. They need to be maintained and replaced when the manufacturer instructs. The batteries smoke alarms run on also need to be replaced regularly as directed. Planning an escape route is another priority in fire safety for your family. This escape route should be talked about and rehearsed on a regular basis, especially if there are children or older people living in the home. A Home Fire Safety Routine is a good way to keep everyone alert to the dangers of fire.

 

Smoke Alarms and Other Alerts

 

Most people assume that if they have a smoke alarm in their house, they are protected. Smoke alarms are great and have alerted many families to a fire in their home. These devices need to be maintained, tested and replaced on a regular basis. You should know when you last replaced the batteries too. While sensing technology in smoke alarms is always improving, most smoke alarms expire after 10 years. This is usually stated in the instructions that come with the device. The National Fire Protection Association says that “three out of five home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms or from missing or dead batteries”.  A Carbon Monoxide alarm is also an important device for ensuring the safety of your home. First Alert, makers of home safety products, offers some sound advice for ensuring your family’s protection from fire.

 

How Many and Where?

 

Usually, one smoke alarm isn’t enough. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends a smoke alarm be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of a home, including the basement. They also recommend one carbon monoxide alarm on each level and in each sleeping area.

These alarms should be installed properly. To prevent false alarms of your smoke detector take the time to read manufacturer guidelines on where to install them. For example, they shouldn’t be installed too close to ovens, windows, doors or ducts. Smoke alarms should ideally be placed high on walls or on the ceiling as smoke rises and placing the alarm high makes detection easier. The NFPA advises you to install dual-sensor alarms because they offer the best early detection of all types of common household fires.

 

Don’t Forget That Escape Plan

 

Installing and maintaining  Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors is essential to the safety of your home. But in the event of a fire or any other emergency you still need an escape plan. Walk through your house and look for all possible exits. You should try to have two ways out of each room. Ideally these escapes should be practiced twice yearly. Of course, the best defense is a good offense – learn the basics of house fire prevention.

 

Home Inspection is a Good Place to Start Fire Prevention

 

Aurora Home Inspections has been offering 5 Star Home Inspections, Buyers Inspection, Certified Move in Ready, Warranty Inspection, Vacation Inspection, Maintenance Inspection and Radon Testing to home buyers and home sellers in Bergen County NJ, Rockland County NY and environs. Home Inspection can help prevent things like home fires by making you aware of potential hazards in a house. Call us today at (201) 654-6505.