This week marks the 100th annual Fire Prevention Week. In honor of Fire Prevention Week, we are sharing three of our top fire safety tips for all homeowners.
Tip #1: Make sure your smoke alarms are installed and working properly.
According to the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA), “roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.” The NFPA recommends having smoke alarms inside every bedroom and outside of each “sleeping area,” as well as in every level of the home (including basements). They also suggest connecting fire alarms so they all sound at once.
Tip #2: Create an escape plan for your family.
It is important to create an escape plan for your family, should a fire occur while you’re in the home. This plan should be discussed as a family, making sure everyone understands what to do in case of a fire. The NFPA recommends having a designated meeting spot outside of the home so everyone in the family knows where to go once they’ve escaped the fire. After the plan has been discussed, practice as a family.
Tip #3: Establish a nightly routine to make sure you’re safe.
Many people have a nightly routine before going to sleep – making sure doors are locked, lights are off, etc. In addition to ensuring the oven and other appliances are turned off, it is also recommended to keep pathways (such as hallways) cleared. The NFPA says doing this will reduce clutter that could be tripped over or become a hazard if your family needs to escape during a fire. The NFPA also suggests keeping your hallway “lit with night lights” to help family members see in case a middle-of-the-night fire escape is needed.
If you have questions about fire safety, please visit the NFPA’s website here.
Sources:
https://www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week/Safety-Tip-Sheets
