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Smoke Detectors

Many home fire injuries and deaths are caused by smoke and toxic gases rather than by the fire itself. Proper planning and fire drills can allow families to be better prepared for such emergencies. Every home should have properly working smoke detectors. The following measures should be taken when installing smoke detectors:

• Smoke detectors need to be installed outside of every bedroom of the house.
• Place detectors on all floor levels.
• Test all smoke detectors regularly. · Replace batteries twice a year. (Have a Maintenance Plan)
• Replace Outdated Models
• Never borrow batteries from smoke detectors.
• Never paint over or deactivate a smoke detector.

If you have a loved one in your home who is hearing impaired you may want to consider installing a special type of detector that flashes a strobe light in addition to sounding an alarm. Plans should be made to assist those who are disabled and require assistance during an emergency. You may want to consider providing a member of your family who is disabled or has difficulty getting around with a room on the ground level and near an exit. Most importantly, make sure your family has an emergency escape plan in case of a fire and practice it regularly.

General Safety Tips

Many homeowners substitute the use of furnaces by leaving stoves and ovens on as a source of home heating. This practice is not only very expensive but is very dangerous as well. A number of kitchen accidents result from persons attempting to reach across open flames.

All heating fuels should be properly stored in approved containers and should never be stored inside of your home or garage. These fuels should be kept secured outside of your home in a utility or storage building. Flammable or combustible materials should be properly identified, stored and kept away from all heating sources. DO NOT store flammable materials next to any heat source including furnaces or water heaters.

The following safety tips can help you prevent unnecessary fires and injuries:

• Space heaters should be located at least three (3) feet away from combustible materials.
• Space heaters requiring refueling such as kerosene should be done outside of the home to prevent accidental spillage.
• All Fireplaces should be equipped with a fire screen.
• All fireplaces should be extinguished before going to sleep.
• Chimneys should be kept clean of creosote buildup.
• All heating appliances should have proper industry approvals and labeled accordingly.
• All portable-heating appliances should have safety features in case they are overturned. This is especially true if you own pets or have small children.
• All heating sources should be well ventilated.
• Appliance filters should be changed regularly.
• All fireplace ashes should be properly disposed of and stored outside of your home.
• Containers used for removing ashes should be metal.

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