October is Fire Prevention Month — a timely reminder that a few simple precautions today can make all the difference in an emergency.
No homeowner expects a fire to happen to them. Unfortunately, when one does occur, there may be very little time to react. The U.S. Fire Administration warns that residents could have less than two minutes to escape a home once a smoke alarm sounds. That makes preparation one of the most important tools a family can have. A residential fire happens every half hour in Ohio. How safe is your home from fire?
This October, take a few minutes to give your home a fire-safety check.
Start with your smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be installed inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. They should also be tested monthly. Even if an alarm appears to be working properly, its age matters. Smoke alarms should generally be replaced 10 years from the date of manufacture.
For homeowners looking to simplify that maintenance, First Alert 10-year photoelectric smoke alarms provide long-term protection without the routine battery replacement associated with traditional battery-powered models. A long-life alarm still needs to be tested regularly, but upgrading aging detectors can be an easy step toward a safer home.
Next, check your fire extinguishers. Do you have one? Is it easily accessible? Does everyone in the household know where it is?
The First Alert PRO5 rechargeable fire extinguisher is designed for both residential and commercial use and can handle several common types of fires involving materials such as wood, paper and fabric, as well as flammable liquids and electrical equipment. Because it is rechargeable, a certified professional can service it after use. Remember, however, that an extinguisher should only be used when a fire is small and contained and you have a clear escape route. When in doubt, get everyone outside and call 911.
October is also a good time to prepare for colder weather.
If your household uses kerosene equipment, inspect it before the season begins and replace worn components as recommended by the manufacturer. Replacement kerosene wicks are available locally, making now a convenient time to get equipment ready before temperatures fall.
Equipment is only part of being prepared. Every household should have an escape plan. Identify two possible ways out of each room, establish a meeting place safely outside the home and practice the plan with everyone who lives there. Children should know what the smoke alarm sounds like and what they are expected to do when they hear it.
In recognition of Fire Prevention Month, Arp’s Hardware is proud to collaborate with the Defiance Fire Department to encourage local families to make fire safety a priority. Throughout October, the store is offering special pricing on select smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to make taking that first step a little easier. To determine the safety of your home from fire hazards please reach out to the Defiance Fire Department for the official Ohio State Fire Marshalls’ fire safety checklist and review it with your family members.
Fire prevention isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about making sure that if the unexpected happens, you and your family are ready.
Use October as your reminder: check it, replace it, plan it and practice it — before the alarm ever sounds.
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