Fire extinguishers, Alarms, and Systems
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Fire education, fire prevention, and fire safety are all important areas to be focused on in the home, at work and at school. In order to keep our environments and families safe from the devastation of fire damage, it is crucial to be aware of what to do in case of fire, as well as the steps that can be taken to prevent fires from starting or spreading.
Fire prevention covers a lot of areas in the home. It is important to make sure all your electrical appliances and products are functioning properly, as well as in good condition. Many fires are started from overloading electrical outlets by plugging in too many items into one socket through the use of extension cords and extra plugs. This requires more electricity to be fed through an outlet than it was designed for, and that can lead to explosions and fire.
Since so many of our home products require plugs – from kitchen appliances to electronics – the best solution for plugging multiple items into one socket is to purchase a power strip which has multiple sockets built into it, but doesn't require that all plugs end up at the socket area. Power strips plug into the wall and then have a length of cord between the plug and the strip itself, providing distance and safety, with surge protection built in.
Most new homes built within the past decade have increased the number of outlets in rooms in order to allow for so many items to be plugged in, preventing an overload on a single socket.
Additionally, many older items have wiring that is worn out and that can cause fires. Exposed wiring is a fire safety issue, as the electrical currents can jump and catch fire to surrounding items. Double check your wires and cords to ensure they are properly coated and safe before use.
No matter how many precautions you might take, fire is still a possibility. Accidents happen, and it's important to do all we can to prevent them, while still educating ourselves of what to do in case all our preventions fall short. It is crucial to have functioning, up-to-date fire alarms installed liberally throughout the home. Modern fire alarms not only detect smoke and heat, but carbon monoxide levels as an added layer of safety.
Check the batteries regularly in your smoke detectors to ensure they are working properly. As well, test them frequently and educate the children and other members of your home what they sound like and what to do when they go off.
Create a family emergency plan in case of fire and make sure everyone knows the options available for escape in your home, as well as where to meet when you're all out to safety.
Not all fires require the family run for the door and start totaling up insurance claims. Some can be quickly put out with a fire extinguisher. Fire extinguishers come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are great to have available in several rooms of the house. Educate your family on where to find them and how to use them, and you might find that a total loss can be avoided. As well, cooking fires can usually be put out quickly with baking soda (not water), preventing an emergency situation.
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