New Homeownership and Fire Safety.

Did You Know You Should Replace Smoke Detectors Every 10 Years? 

With the time change, "fall back" just around the corner, and fire safety week approaching soon in October, now is a great time to think about those batteries in the fire alarms and talk just a minute about fire safety.  Each year more than 2,500 people die and 12,600 are injured in home fires in the United States, with direct property loss due to home fires estimated at $7.3 billion annually. 

We know the  last thing on a new homeowner's mind is the terrible thought of losing it all in a home fire.  Most new home owners are only thinking about decorations, landscaping, furniture, and what color of paint would look great on the living room walls.  But with a little preparation and care, homeowners can take action to do their best to prevent home fires and have a plan ready should they experience one.

Most Common Causes of Home Fires

• Ovens, ranges and related in the kitchen.
• Carelessly discarded cigarettes.
• Sparks from fireplaces without spark screens or glass doors.
• Heating appliances like space heaters that are covered or left close to furniture or other combustibles.

Even with a carefully laid out escape plan and working smoke detectors home fires can still happen. Start with prevention!  The first thing homeowners need to do is ensure they have properly working smoke detectors throughout the home and have a planned escape route that your family has discussed and even "role" played discussed with all family members.

Fire Safety Tips:

• Speak with all household members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
• Test smoke alarms once a month; if they’re not working, change the batteries.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food.
• Don’t leave the oven on or pots on the stove if you are not home.
• Do not run electrical cords under rugs or furniture.
• Space heaters should have a thermostat and be kept 5 feet from anything combustible.
• Inspect and clean wood stove pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions.
• Fireplace screens should be heavy enough to stop a rolling log and large enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace.
• Fireplace fires and embers should be completely extinguished before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Keep combustible and flammable liquids away from heat sources.

Here's a short video from Sparky the Fire Dog check out  The National Fire Protection Association You Tube Channel National Fire Protection Association

The information came from NFPA website! We hope you take a few minutes to visit their website. There are some great FREE DOWNLOADS for a fire safey plan and safety tips to protect your family.

http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/campaigns/fire-prevention-week/fast-facts-about-fire

Interesting Facts 

Home fires

• Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Only one in five home fires were reported during these hours.
• One quarter of home fire deaths were caused by fires that started in the bedroom. Another quarter resulted from fires in the living room, family room or den.
• Three out of five home fire deaths happen from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• In 2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 367,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,745 deaths, 11,825 civilian injuries, and $6.8 billion in direct damage.
• On average, seven people die in U.S. home fires per day.
• Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fire injuries, followed by heating equipment.
• Smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths.
• Most fatal fires kill one or two people. In 2014, 15 home fires killed five or more people resulting in a total of 88 deaths.
• During 2009-2013, roughly one of every 335 households had a reported home fire per year.

Smoke alarms

• Three out of five home fire deaths in 2009-2013 were caused by fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.
• In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 94% of the time, while battery powered alarms operated 80% of the time.
• When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead.
• An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms are recommended. 

If we can assist you with fire safety, more information on our local fire departments or any real estate needs please feel free to contact us !