Thank you First Alert for sponsoring this post. October is Fire Prevention Month! Help ensure your home and family are ready for the unexpected by installing smoke & CO alarms and having fire extinguishers!
Back in 1922, The National Fire Protection Association named the second week of October Fire Prevention Week in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. For today’s post, I’ve partnered up with First Alert to address fire safety awareness to help families stay safe all year ’round. Help protect your home by installing smoke & CO alarms and having fire extinguishers on hand in case of emergencies.
Create a fire safety checklist to make sure you stay on top of everything. When was the last time you tested your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms? Have you replaced your batteries? Have you discussed a possible escape route with your loved ones? If you live in a multi-story home, do you have an escape ladder?
3 out of 5 home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms so it’s imperative to install smoke and CO alarms on every level and in every bedroom of your home. We installed this First Alert Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm with a 10-year sealed battery, which means we don’t have to change the batteries or worry about late night battery chirps for a decade. 50% of home fire deaths occur during the night while people are sleeping so a working smoke and CO alarm is an absolute must, no ifs, ands or buts.
All your smoke alarms should be tested monthly, and you can do so by pushing the “test” button on your device. Always make sure to have a spare battery tucked away, and if yours ever starts beeping, replace your battery immediately.
And as mentioned above, it’s crucial that you plan and practice emergency escape plans with your family at least twice a year. Unsure what this means? Basically, you want to map out two ways out of each room/area in your house and congregate in a predetermined meeting spot outside, one where you can safely call 911 for help.
On top of that, you need to have fire extinguishers. You should have one on each floor, especially high risk areas like your kitchen, laundry room, garage and possibly near your grill. The First Alert Home Fire Extinguisher I have is designed to fight common household fires. I also like how light it is. You can find First Alert fire safety products like this extinguisher at Lowe’s.
The #1 cause of fires is unattended cooking so definitely make sure to have one within reach! And if you don’t know how to maneuver one, an easy way to remember is with the acronym P.A.S.S: pull the pin, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, squeeze the trigger, and then sweep from side to side. This may be a no-brainer for some of you, but never leave food cooking unattended, especially if you’re using deep fryers or similar equipment.
Alright friends, that’s a wrap for today. Thanks for tuning in and reading all about fire safety. With all the craziness happening out west in California, it’s so, SO important to stay educated to keep you and your loved ones safe. Please let me know if you have any questions. Sending you guys all the positive vibes.
