You never know when you may be one of the unlucky people in this world that has to deal with a house fire. Are you prepared if your house does catch on fire? Would you know what to do? Would your family know what to do?
Here are 3 things that will keep your family safe from a fire:
Smoke Detectors
You should have at least one smoke detector on every level of your home, and sometimes more than that, depending on your home’s size. These detectors can be anywhere, but we recommend placing them near bedrooms, the kitchen, fireplaces, and the laundry room.
Most smoke detectors are good for ten years, so you will want to replace them if they’re older than that. However, the newer smoke detectors have a feature that will let you know if they are not working properly prior to that, by starting to beep. You will need to change the batteries in your smoke detectors every six months, and we recommend doing it when you change your clocks in the fall and spring. To ensure that all your smoke detectors are working, we recommend testing them once a month by holding down the test button. If one is not working, you can try to change the batteries, but if it still doesn’t work, it is time to replace it.
Escape Routes and Meeting Areas
You will want to work on an escape route and a meeting area with you family, so that if a fire does start in your home, everyone knows where to go. We recommend having a couple of escape routes, in case the fire is in a different area than you discussed. The meeting area should be a safe distance from your home, preferably a neighbor’s home, so that someone can call 911.
Fire Extinguishers
A fire extinguisher is a great item to have to put out any small fires inside your home. Of course, you should still call 911, in case the fire quickly gets out of control. After all, fires are unpredictable, and while you think it is out, it could be smoldering and ignite at any time.
To use a fire extinguisher, you will need to remember the PASS technique. PASS stands for:
- Pull the safety pin out
- Aim towards the bottom of the fire
- Squeeze the handle
- Sweep the fire extinguisher from side to side
Fireplace Safety and Chimney Inspections in Drexel Hill
We have two CSIA Certified chimney sweeps standing by to assist you with your chimney needs. Give us a call at 610-626-2439 to schedule an appointment for a chimney inspection or cleaning. We provide chimney services throughout the Main Line region. No one ever wants their home to catch on fire, which is why you will want to take any preventative measures that you can to ensure that you and your family are safe.