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 One of the deadliest and greatest threats to your home and family is a FIRE.  Not only can it destroy your home within minutes but if homeowners are inside when the fire is in progress and are not immediately alerted to the fire - their lives and safety will be in jeopardy!  Many lives are lost each year due to home fires.  Some of the causes could have been prevented and lives saved had they followed a fire safety plan.

Part of an overall home security protection plan is having smoke detectors installed throughout the home.  When I did a security review for a homeowner, I always included smoke detectors on each level – especially in the hallways outside bedroom areas.  Almost 95% of the time customers elected to protect their homes with 24-hour monitored smoke detectors.  These smoke detectors are connected to a security system with a loud inside alarm.  In the event of a fire immediate notification is sent to a 24-hour central monitoring facility so they can dispatch the fire department right away.

The 24-hour monitoring can help save lives and reduce the fire damage to your home.  Your insurance company values this coverage and considers it a big advantage in reducing major losses.  Therefore, they tend to give homeowners a reduction in their insurance premiums.  Be sure to let your insurance company know you have this protection so you can receive any discounts they offer.

Here Are 10 Tips For Fire Safety

1.  Crawl low under smoke to your exit.  If you have to escape a fire through smoke, crawl low, keeping your head 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) above the floor where the air is cleaner.

2.  Plan your escape.  Make a home escape plan and hold regular fire drills so everyone in your household knows what to do in a fire emergency.  When escaping a fire, feel the cracks around doors with the back of your hand before opening them.  If they are warm, try another escape route.  If bedrooms are on the second floor, invest in a fire escape ladder.  Keep it readily available and know how it works.

3.  Install smoke alarms.  Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home, inside and outside of the bedrooms.  Test them once a month, and replace their batteries once a year.

4.  Be careful with smoking materials.  Never smoke in bed or when you’re drowsy or have been drinking or taking medication.

5.  Install an automatic home fire sprinkler system.  Automatic fire sprinkler systems control or extinguish fires in less time than it takes for the fire department to arrive. 

6.  Use electricity safely.  Replace damaged electrical cords and repair appliances that smell, smoke, or overheat.

7.  Cook safely.  Never leave cooking unattended and keeping cooking areas clean and uncluttered.

8.  Space heaters need space.  Keep portable and space heaters at least three feet (one meter) from anything that can burn.

9.  Keep matches and lighters out of sight.  Keep matches and lighters away from children – stored up high in a locked cabinet.

10. Stop, drop, and roll if your clothes catch fire.  If your clothing catches fire, stop – don’t run.  Drop to the ground.  And roll over and over to smother the flames.  Cool the burn and call for help

Many people burn candles throughout their home and this can be a vulnerable fire hazard.  Make sure there are no items around your candles that could cause a fire and be sure to extinguish the candles before leaving your home or going to bed.

Be sure you have a portable fire extinguisher that is fully charged.  Depending upon the size your home, you may need more than one.  Also have your heating system serviced professionally at least once a year and have your chimney inspected or cleaned regularly – depending upon how frequently you use it in the winter.

Make sure everyone in your family knows the Fire Escape Plan, what to do in the event of a fire, and where to meet outside should there be a fire in your home.

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