Knowing whether or not you’re prepared for an emergency, unfortunately, can be something you aren’t sure of until an emergency is happening. Dealing with a fire-related situation can be a matter of life and death and knowing how to maneuver can make all the difference. Luckily, there are some things that you can do ahead of time in the name of home safety to be as prepared as possible.
Fire, CO, and Smoke, Oh My
It’s home safety common sense to have fire alarms installed throughout the house, but that doesn’t mean that there are enough of them or that they’re installed where they should be. Also, there is a surprising lack of carbon monoxide detectors within homes when they are so important, particularly considering that CO gas can’t be seen or noticed nearly as easily as smoke and fire.
Smoke detectors can recognize smoke long before it becomes a serious hazard. Since the smoke rises to the ceilings, where these alarms should be located, the detectors pick up on the particles and alert the home and fire department at the first signs of danger. They are meant to be on each level of the house, though it’s advised that they also be placed outside bedrooms and around areas where there would be smoke and fires (such as a kitchen). To ensure that these machines are functioning, regular (biannual) tests should be done via a button on the detector; ideally, this would be undertaken before the telltale chirping that signals a low battery.
Carbon monoxide, known for being colorless and often odorless, can be deadly, especially within older homes in which their aging devices would release the gas. CO “can emit from space heaters, leaking chimneys, furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces and gas stoves,” so there are a number of sources from which the gas can originate. Keeping a carbon monoxide alarm near heaters and other gas-emitting appliances is the best way to protect your home from possible tragedy.
Some devices are able to signal levels of both smoke and CO, though having a single device would require more carefully-planned placement within the building. In dealing with smaller, more easily-controlled fires (for example, in a trash can, or on a stove top), a fire extinguisher should be on hand for use. However, in dealing with larger and less-contained flames, using an extinguisher may prevent the fire department from being notified as to your emergency and could put you in danger. It’s safer to simply leave if the fire is larger than mentioned above and to assure that the emergency team can get there in a timely manner.
Are your alarms and detectors up to date and installed where they should be? Remember safety devices for your home and for commercial locations; get in touch with Tim Kyle Electric for up-to-date checks and installation of these and other products.
source:
All The Important Things You Need To Know About Fire Safety In Your Home
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