Smoke Detectors - Safety and Maintenance
Smoke Detector Maintenance
Studies have shown that the deaths caused by home fires are twice higher in homes without smoke detectors compared to the homes that have them. The trick behind the fire detectors is that smoke spreads faster than fire; thus, you can get out early when the alarm alerts you. Since the closed doors slow the spread of heat, smoke, and fire, install the detectors in all the sleeping rooms and on every section of your home including the hallways. Remember also that the detectors need to be cleaned and regularly maintained to work efficiently. The following tips are essential when maintaining them.
Keep the Smoke Detectors Clean
Contaminants and dust affect the functioning of the smoke detectors; hence, ensure that you clean them more than two times a year. Use the long upholstery wand on the vacuum cleaner to remove cobwebs and dust that have settled on the detectors. Vacuum-clean the smoke detectors’ interior parts also by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Replace the Batteries Regularly
Keep a fixed date for replacing the batteries in the smoke detectors instead of waiting until they stop working. For consistency, choose a time that you can easily remember such as the one with personal significance. You may decide to replace them on your birthday or that of a family member, or when celebrating any other anniversary.
The smoke detectors will not last for a long time; therefore, apart from the battery changes and regular cleaning, also replace the detectors every ten years. If you have lived in your current home for less than ten years and you are not sure of the existing smoke detectors, replace them immediately instead of making an assumption.
Test the Smoke Detectors Every Month
Press the test buttons of your household smoke detectors every month to know if they are working well. If this method is too easy and need an additional assurance measure, then test the alarms by using the real smoke. With this method, you can light a candle and blow it out then hold it some inches under the detector. If the alarm sounds, then you are sure that they are functioning as expected.
Investigate Faulty Smoke Detectors
Sometimes, a smoke alarm can sound even when there is no smoke around it. In such instances, do not stop the alarm; instead, try to find out what caused the alarm to go off. It could be that the smoke detector is near the bathroom or kitchen where steam and fumes can make it go off even when there is no risk of fire. You can solve this by relocating the detector away from the bathroom or kitchen. If the false alarm recurs, however, then the smoke alarm has a problem and should be replaced.
Installing fire detectors in your home is one of the best ways of ensuring the safety of your family members. Keep a close eye also on each smoke alarm to ensure their efficient functioning. Nevertheless, having the smoke detectors does not eliminate the need for other preventive measures and proper planning that can reduce the chances of fire outbreak.
Keep the Smoke Detectors Clean
Contaminants and dust affect the functioning of the smoke detectors; hence, ensure that you clean them more than two times a year. Use the long upholstery wand on the vacuum cleaner to remove cobwebs and dust that have settled on the detectors. Vacuum-clean the smoke detectors’ interior parts also by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Replace the Batteries Regularly
Keep a fixed date for replacing the batteries in the smoke detectors instead of waiting until they stop working. For consistency, choose a time that you can easily remember such as the one with personal significance. You may decide to replace them on your birthday or that of a family member, or when celebrating any other anniversary.
The smoke detectors will not last for a long time; therefore, apart from the battery changes and regular cleaning, also replace the detectors every ten years. If you have lived in your current home for less than ten years and you are not sure of the existing smoke detectors, replace them immediately instead of making an assumption.
Test the Smoke Detectors Every Month
Press the test buttons of your household smoke detectors every month to know if they are working well. If this method is too easy and need an additional assurance measure, then test the alarms by using the real smoke. With this method, you can light a candle and blow it out then hold it some inches under the detector. If the alarm sounds, then you are sure that they are functioning as expected.
Investigate Faulty Smoke Detectors
Sometimes, a smoke alarm can sound even when there is no smoke around it. In such instances, do not stop the alarm; instead, try to find out what caused the alarm to go off. It could be that the smoke detector is near the bathroom or kitchen where steam and fumes can make it go off even when there is no risk of fire. You can solve this by relocating the detector away from the bathroom or kitchen. If the false alarm recurs, however, then the smoke alarm has a problem and should be replaced.
Installing fire detectors in your home is one of the best ways of ensuring the safety of your family members. Keep a close eye also on each smoke alarm to ensure their efficient functioning. Nevertheless, having the smoke detectors does not eliminate the need for other preventive measures and proper planning that can reduce the chances of fire outbreak.
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Fire Safety Tip of the Month - Interior of your Property
As a homeowner, you must think about fire safety in order to protect your family and your property.
1: Have Several Smoke Detectors Inside Your Home One of the best ways to protect your family is to have several smoke detectors inside your home. Install a smoke detector near the kitchen along with additional areas such as next to a fireplace or in the hallways next to bedrooms. To have emergency lighting during a fire, select smoke detectors that have battery-operated lights so that you can find exits quickly. Make sure to check the batteries in your home’s smoke detectors at least once each month. 2: Have Practice Fire Drills For Your Family Arrange a practice fire drill for your family occasionally so that everyone will know where the emergency exits are located. Before having a fire drill, post an escape plan in several places inside your home. In some cases, an exit is blocked by flames or smoke, and everyone must understand alternate escape routes, including windows. If you have a large home with a complicated structure, then mark exits with small signs to help everyone find doorways, windows or stairways. 3: Inspect the Interior and Exterior of Your Home It is imperative to inspect the exterior and interior of your home periodically to find potential fire risks. Some of the things to look for include having curtains located near stoves or fireplaces that can catch on fire when the wind blows the fabric near to flames or burners. If you have trees on your property, then it is essential to keep the long branches trimmed away from electrical power lines or your home’s venting system to prevent a fire from occurring. Contact a professional tree-trimming company to have branches cut so that the trees still look beautiful but are no longer a hazard. 4: Use Extra Care In the Kitchen The majority of home fires begin in the kitchen, and this is often caused by carelessness. Keep oven mitts and kitchen towels away from the burners on a stovetop. Make sure to stay near a stove while preparing food rather than leaving the room. Understand how to extinguish a grease fire properly with a lid or baking soda instead of water. Don’t permit your children to use a stove unless they are supervised closely by an adult. 5: Keep Combustible Materials Away From Heat Sources Never store combustible items near heat sources to prevent explosions that will lead to a fire. Combustible and dangerous items include containers of gasoline, cleansers and nail polish remover. If these items are exposed to extreme heat or flames, then the liquids will explode, leading to a fire that spreads quickly. 6: Watch Burning Candles To Prevent a Dangerous Fire Today, most homes have candles, but you must use caution while lighting and burning these items. Only adults should light a candle, and make sure that it is in a safe container that is away from flammable materials. To avoid a disaster that can lead to a large home fire, keep your family pets and children away from a burning candle. 7: Understand What To Do If Your Clothes or Hair Are On Fire Teach everyone in your family what to do if their hair or clothes catch on fire while they are cooking in the kitchen or standing near a fireplace. The stop, drop and roll technique is something that you and your children should practice after a fire drill. Monitor Fire Safety Frequently To prevent dangerous situations, make sure to monitor your home’s fire safety standards frequently. |
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Fire Safety Tip of the Month - Home Maintenance
As a home owner it is your responsibility to educate yourself on the common causes of home fires. Knowing how to prevent them is key in being able to protect yourself, your valuables and your family. It is also important to know what to do in case of a fire.
The four leading causes of home fires are all preventable.
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries and is tied for the second leading cause of home fire deaths. Never leave food cooking unattended, especially when frying foods. Wear short, close fitting sleeves when cooking. Never cook when you are tire or sleepy. Make sure young children are kept away from the cooking areas.
Smoking has been the leading cause of home fire deaths for decades. Never smoke in bed or when you are tired. If you smoke, smoke outside. Make sure cigarettes are put out. Soak the butts in water before throwing them away.
Heating equipment was involved in one of every five home fire deaths. Portable heaters and space heaters and wood stoves are never to be left unattended. Keep flammable materials such as drapes and clothes away from portable heaters. Make sure your heater has a thermostat and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over. If you have a fireplace or woodstove, check the chimney and pipes monthly for obstructions. Never use your fireplace or woodstove to burn garbage or paper. Make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed. Use a fire place screen to stop rolling logs and to catch sparks.
Fires caused by faulty wiring, frayed electrical cords and plugs is another leading cause of home fires. Replace worn and damaged cords. Do not run cords under rugs or furniture. Make sure your home is up to code on your electrical wiring. Only purchase products that are nationally recognized by Underwriters laboratory(UL). Do not overload extension cords and use only three prong plugs in a three prong outlet.
The best defense against a fire is to have working smoke detectors on each floor of your home. Replace the batteries annually and test them once a year. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.
Fire spreads quickly, so make sure you have an escape route and practice it twice a year. Make sure you find two ways to get out of each room. If a doorway is blocked make sure you can escape through window. Having a window that fully opens and is well maintained is critical to this secondary escape route. Make sure windows are not stuck, or painted shut and screens can be taken out easily. Make sure each family member can open the doors and windows.
Sleep with your door closed. In the event of a fire this will slow the spread of the fire. Remember to always feel the door before opening it. If it feels hot to the touch, going through a window will be your best escape route.
Fire is dark, fast and deadly. Taking care to prevent the most common causes of fire is the first step in fire prevention. It is also important to know that when a fire starts, time is critical, know your escape route and get out fast. Being prepared is the best defense to keep you and your family safe.
The four leading causes of home fires are all preventable.
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries and is tied for the second leading cause of home fire deaths. Never leave food cooking unattended, especially when frying foods. Wear short, close fitting sleeves when cooking. Never cook when you are tire or sleepy. Make sure young children are kept away from the cooking areas.
Smoking has been the leading cause of home fire deaths for decades. Never smoke in bed or when you are tired. If you smoke, smoke outside. Make sure cigarettes are put out. Soak the butts in water before throwing them away.
Heating equipment was involved in one of every five home fire deaths. Portable heaters and space heaters and wood stoves are never to be left unattended. Keep flammable materials such as drapes and clothes away from portable heaters. Make sure your heater has a thermostat and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over. If you have a fireplace or woodstove, check the chimney and pipes monthly for obstructions. Never use your fireplace or woodstove to burn garbage or paper. Make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed. Use a fire place screen to stop rolling logs and to catch sparks.
Fires caused by faulty wiring, frayed electrical cords and plugs is another leading cause of home fires. Replace worn and damaged cords. Do not run cords under rugs or furniture. Make sure your home is up to code on your electrical wiring. Only purchase products that are nationally recognized by Underwriters laboratory(UL). Do not overload extension cords and use only three prong plugs in a three prong outlet.
The best defense against a fire is to have working smoke detectors on each floor of your home. Replace the batteries annually and test them once a year. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.
Fire spreads quickly, so make sure you have an escape route and practice it twice a year. Make sure you find two ways to get out of each room. If a doorway is blocked make sure you can escape through window. Having a window that fully opens and is well maintained is critical to this secondary escape route. Make sure windows are not stuck, or painted shut and screens can be taken out easily. Make sure each family member can open the doors and windows.
Sleep with your door closed. In the event of a fire this will slow the spread of the fire. Remember to always feel the door before opening it. If it feels hot to the touch, going through a window will be your best escape route.
Fire is dark, fast and deadly. Taking care to prevent the most common causes of fire is the first step in fire prevention. It is also important to know that when a fire starts, time is critical, know your escape route and get out fast. Being prepared is the best defense to keep you and your family safe.
