Safety Tips

Smoke Alarms at Home

SMOKE ALARMS ARE A KEY  PART of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms gives you early warning so you can get outside quickly.

Safety Tips:

• Install smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home and even the basement.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to make sure the alarm is working.
• There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use both types of alarms in the home.
• A smoke alarm should be on a ceiling or 12" down from the ceiling on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be atleast 10 feet from the stove.
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

Facts:

• Roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in a home without smoke alarms or in a home with alarms that are not working.
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level. They should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.

Fire Extinguisher Safety

• Use a portable fire extinguisher when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing; everyone has exited the building; the fire department has been called (Call 9-1-1) or is being called; and the room is not filled with smoke.For the home, select a multi-purpose extinguisher (can be used on all types of home fires, most Common is an ABC type)  that is large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle.
• Choose a fire extinguisher that carries the label of an independent testing laboratory.
• Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out. 
• Install fire extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back to a clear exit when you use the device so you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately.
• Know when to go. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element is safe escape. Every household should have a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms.

Escape Planning

Plan Ahead! If a fire breaks out in your home, you may only have a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to golf there is a fire.

Safety Tips:

• MAKE a home escape plan. Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows. Discuss the plan with everyone in your home. 
• KNOW at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.
• HAVE an outside meeting place (Like a tree, light poll, or mailbox) a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet. 
• PRACTICE your home fire drill at night, during the day with everyone in your home, twice a year.
• PRACTICE using different ways out. 
• TEACH children how to escape on their own in case you cant help them.
• CLOSE doors behind you as you leave

IF THE ALARM SOUNDS…

• If the smoke alarm sounds, GET OUT AND STAY OUT. Never go back inside for people or pets.
• If you have to escape through smoke, GET LOW AND GO under smoke to your way out.
• CALL the Fire Department (9-1-1) from outside your home.

FACTS

• According to an NFPA Survey, only one of every three American Households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
• While 71% of Americans have an escape plan in case of a fire, only 47% of those have practiced it.
• One-Third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less. And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out.