Home Safety Information
Fires in residential homes can be some of the most deadly. We all know the layout of our homes and where everything is. To get out quickly under normal conditions is relatively easy. When a fire occurs, the situation changes rapidly.
With the use of plastics and lightweight construction, the time you have to escape a fire has been reduced compared to years ago. That’s why it is so important to exit the home at the first sign of a fire and call the fire department.
Here are a few, easy to follow home safety tips:
By following these few simple tips, you can lessen the chances of a tragedy occurring.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are devices that are mounted on the wall or ceiling and automatically sound a warning when they sense smoke or other products of combustion. When people are warned early enough about a fire, they can escape before it spreads. Prices start at about $6 and up.
Every year thousands of people die from fires in the home. Fire kills an estimated 4,000 Americans every year. Another 30,000 people are seriously injured by fire each year. Property damage from fire costs us at least $11.2 billion yearly. Most fire victims feel that fire would “never happen to them.”
Although we like to feel safe at home, about 2-thirds of our nation’s fire deaths happen in the victim’s own home. The home is where we are at the greatest risk and where we must take the most precautions. Most deaths occur from inhaling smoke or poisonous gases, not from the flames.
Most fatal fires occur in residential buildings between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. when occupants are more likely to be asleep. More than 90 percent of fire deaths in buildings occur in residential dwellings.
A Johns Hopkins University study, funded by the United States Fire Administration, found that 75 percent of residential fire deaths and 84 percent of residential fire injuries could have been prevented by smoke detectors.
Chester Township Fire Rescue, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, can provide smoke detectors if you are unable to do so. We can assist the elderly with the installation of smoke detectors also. Call the fire station at 440-729-9951 for assistance with your smoke detectors.
Power outages can be a minor inconvenience or a major disruption, depending upon how long they last. The power companies try to restore power as soon as possible but there are many factors that affect how quickly that happens. Because you don’t know when the power will be restored, the best advice is to have a generator. Generators come in all sizes from small to power your well pump or refrigerator to large for power for your entire home. When purchasing a generator, prioritize what you want to power during an outage and purchase the right size to power those items.
Never run your generator inside the home or garage. Generators give off carbon monoxide when used and you don’t want to create a deadly condition.
If you don’t have a generator, here are a few tips to help you be prepared for a long-term outage.
