Fire Safety as the Seasons Change
Fire Safety Tips as the Seasons Change by ATP
This is always a unique time to be in New England. Summer has taken its last gasps and given way to the beautiful fall foliage that New England is famous for. However, all those beautiful colors also mean winter is right around the corner.
With rising energy costs New Englanders have turned to alternative forms of heat to warm their homes. Whether this means simply using the fireplace or space heaters to installing a pellet burning stove, we are constantly searching for ways to save on our ballooning oil and gas costs. While all of these alternative methods of heat can certainly help your savings account, they also pose increased risk of fires. In fact, according to the CDC, the months of December, January and February are consistently the months that we see the most home fires.
Incorporating monitored smoke and heat detectors to your home security system can significantly reduce your risk of incurring physical harm or property loss due to an accidental fire. Installing one of these devices gives you the peace of mind that even if you are away from home, the fire department will be dispatched if smoke or rising heat levels are detected. Today, most of these devices are wireless and can connect to existing home security systems. If you don’t have a monitored security system, you should consider it as they are relatively inexpensive and local home security companies can tailor a system to fit almost any budget. Having a properly functioning fire extinguisher is also extremely important to fire safety, especially if you are using a wood or pellet stove to heat your home.
While almost every home has one, it is important to inspect these devices regularly
to ensure that they will function properly in the event of an emergency. You want to keep your fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location where there are no obstructions to access or visibility. Educating your children and elderly parents about location and proper use of the fire extinguisher is imperative. When inspecting your extinguisher check to make sure that no safety seals are broken or missing. Thoroughly check for physical damage to the device paying close attention to signs of corrosion, leakage or a clogged nozzle.
Take careful note that the pressure gauge is in the proper range. An over pressurized extinguisher is extremely dangerous and should be replaced immediately. You will want to confirm the fullness of the extinguisher by either weighing it or lifting it. Lastly, make sure the instructions are legible and facing outward. Keep in mind that while having these devices sit idle for years means you have not had a fire emergency, it does not guarantee its functionality. Remember that over time the device can depressurize slowly rendering it useless. It is recommended that you should replace your home fire extinguisher every ten years even if it has never been used. If you have a rechargeable model you should have it serviced every six years. Enjoy the fall season and keep fire safety in mind as you make your preparations for the winter months ahead.
As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch with an ATP Alarms life / fire safety specialist with any questions.
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