The underlying need behind every to-do list is to keep the house from burning down.
As winter approaches, fires become more and more of a possibility. Spending an increased amount of time at home will inevitably heighten the likelihood of one of the kids leaving an oven mitt on the stove, or the overused dryer catching fire, or the dog chewing through an electrical cord…
While you may not be able to stop accidents from happening, you can lessen their chances by having your home’s fire safe prevention up to date. Here’s how:
CO Monitors Make Your Home More Fire Safe
Not every home has these, but they should. Carbon Monoxide is a toxic gas that is both odorless, and colorless. It is often the harmful byproduct of every day appliances. Some common sources of this range from open flames, to water heaters, to blocked chimneys. It is the kind of thing you won’t see coming, so why take that fatal chance?
CO detectors are inexpensive and can be purchased online. Installing these guys close to the ceiling or close to the floor is important, CO will either rise or fall.
Test Smoke Detectors Make Your Home More Fire Safe
Everyone’s number one favorite device to deactivate is this noisy sucker. We’ve all been there, it’s the middle of the night, and there’s a persistent beeping sound.
While smoke detectors can be agitating, they are life savers. Check them once every 3 to 6 months to make sure they work properly, and change the battery when it’s dead.
Fire Extinguishers Make Your Home More Fire Safe
This is a necessity. Every floor of your home should have an up-to-date fire extinguisher. These tools should also correspond to your home’s fire emergency plans.
Make sure all the members of the family who are responsible and enjoy the privilege of riding in the front seat (aka anyone over the age of twelve, with self-control, and strong enough arms), know where the fire extinguishers are, and how they operate.
Fire Hazards
Here are a list of the most common fire risks around your home to check up on…
- Kitchens – Appliances like stoves, pressure cooker, grills, etc. need a 3 ft radius of space between them and another object. This may mean rearranging the placement of some shelves or hooks, but better safe than sorry.
- Clothes Dryer – Dryers create tons of lint. We all know about cleaning out the lint catcher after each load, but what about the dryer cabinet? This is a sneakier aspect to your machine, and it’s something that needs to be maintained.
- Sawdust – If you have your own personal handyman (or woman) in your home, it’s likely that there is also a corresponding stack of sawdust somewhere in your garage. Cleaning up after projects is very necessary, especially in the case of wood. Saw dust is flammable and burns quickly, so it’s better not to take the chance.
- Loose Outlets – If there is an outlet in your house where the cord falls out easily, you have a problem. These outlets generate a lot of heat and overtime can start fires. Re-securing outlets when they become loose will keep your home safe.
Having a Fire Safe and Evacuation plan for your home is paramount.
- Know all the exits, windows and doors.
- Make sure the smaller individuals are matched up with a buddy and that they know your address and how to call 911.
- Have a meeting point (like a coffee shop or friends home) to regroup at.
For assistance making your home more fire safe – give us a call @ 508.305.2055 or Contact Us online .