October is Fire Prevention Month! The goal of Fire Prevention Month is to raise fire safety awareness, and help ensure your home and family is protected. During this month, fire departments provide education to their communities, and encourage parents and loved ones to practice fire prevention and whole home safety.
I’m Chris Parks with North Star Services, LLC and I’m going to review fire prevention and safety tips to help you protect your home and family this and every month.
Did You Know
Fire Prevention Month is the perfect time to educate and talk with your whole family about fire safety – including testing alarms, changing the batteries or upgrading to 10-year sealed battery alarms, knowing how to use a fire extinguisher and escape route planning.
3 of every 5 home fire deaths resulted from fires with no working smoke alarms
Less than 50% of homeowners have an escape plan
Carbon monoxide (CO) is the #1 cause of accidental poisoning in the US
60% of consumers do not test their smoke and CO alarms monthly*
Only 47% of people report having CO alarms in their home
Unattended cooking is the #1 cause of home fires
Fire-related Deaths
Often, we see an increase in fire-related deaths as people head inside and turn up the heat to stay warm. In 2020, 3,500 civilians and 62 firefighters lost their lives in fires in the United States. Increased awareness, education, and preparedness are the best ways to lower these numbers.
Help Protect Your Whole Home
Here at North Star Services, LLC, we urge everyone to practice whole home safety, so you and your family are prepared throughout the entire year. Having functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home is the first line of defense for fire prevention.
They work around the clock to provide your family an early alert in the event of an emergency, helping to provide you time to safely escape. Smoke and CO alarms should be placed on every level of the home, including the basement, as well as inside and outside each bedroom to keep your home and family safe. Fire extinguishers should also be placed on every level of the home, especially in the kitchen and garage.
Fire Extinguisher Selection
Every facility and home should have fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors in high-risk locations like kitchens, garages, and storage areas.
Always consider the type of fire risk before choosing a fire extinguisher. For example, a type D fire extinguisher may be better suited for a welding shop with flammable metals than a general-purpose ABC extinguisher.
Fire Won't Wait. Plan Your Escape
Make sure your home escape plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.
Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.
Request A Free Inspection Today
We plan for the worst yet when fire, water or wind damage occurs to your residential or commercial property, contact North Star Services, LLC — a certified IICRC restoration and remediation company with over 20 years’ experience in Nashville, Berry Hill & Middle Tennessee. We provide free mold, crawl space and restoration inspections, and are available 24/7, 365 days a year for emergencies such as water damage, fire damage, flood and storm damage and more. Contact us at 629-221-0638 or request a free estimate now.