Safe Haven Shares Tips on Fire Safety for National Barbecue Month

News
By: Safe Haven Admin,

Summer is near and many are already breaking out the barbeque grills for some backyard fun. Data from the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) shows that between 2009 – 2013, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 8,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis and barbecues, per year. On average, these fires caused 10 deaths, 160 injuries and over $100 million in direct property damage each year during that span. Furthermore, their data shows that around 80 percent of grills involved in home fires were gas powered, while only 13 percent used charcoal or another solid fuel source.

To help reduce the amount of fires in your home caused by grills and barbecues, there are several tips that you can follow to help stay safe and not let the possibility of a fire ruin your fun times.

Grill Placement
When it comes to fire safety with your grill, proper placement is important. You never want to use your grill indoors, regardless of its size. Grills release carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that is odorless and colorless. When it come to positioning your grill, you’ll want to ensure that your cooking surface has no decorations near it. Any kind of decoration could become possible fuel for a fire and artificial fibers used on outdoor furniture can burn quickly and at a higher heat. Lastly, it is important to keep your grill at least 10 feet away from the exterior of your house.

Cooking
Before you even begin cooking, it’s important to clean not only the surface of your grill, but anywhere else grease can store. In fact, grease is a common factor in home fires as it can often cause flare ups. Refrain from placing all the food you intend to cook on the grill at once. By doing so, you’ll avoid creating an excess amount of fat dripping down into the fire, helping a potentially dangerous flare up.

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Home Security Fire Preparedness Tips

News
By: Safe Haven,

The transition from winter to spring can bring dry weather which makes homes more susceptible to home fires. Recent events such as the massive blaze in Kansas City that damaged over 20 different homes after a fire broke out on a construction site, underscore the importance of fire preparedness. Between 2010-2014, fire departments across the nation responded to over 350,000 different home fires per year. On average, these home fires caused over $6.7 billion direct damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

The NFPA warns that the ability for homeowners to receive advance notice of a fire from smoke alarms and make plans ahead of time can make all the difference. The association claims that home fires can spread rapidly, leaving occupants with as little as one to two minutes to escape.

Tip #1 – Install a smoke detection system.
It’s important to install smoke alarms in every bedroom and level of the house. When you install these units, it’s worth connecting the devices to a central system such as our monitored home security system. If one of these devices were to be set off by an emergency, an ADT monitoring agent would be able to alert the authorities while checking on your safety.

Tip #2 – Make a plan.
A fire can happen quickly and make you anxious and unsure of what to do. By making a plan on where to go in case of a fire, homeowners can help protect themselves and their families. Discuss a plan with every member of your family as to how to get out of the house and where to meet outside in case of a fire incident. Once you make a plan that everyone understands and is comfortable with, practice it.

Tip #3 – Purchase additional supplies.
There are several important items that can help you in the event of a fire. A foldable fire ladder can help you escape your home if the stairs have been cut off by fallen debris or too much heat. These ladders are generally made from aluminum and function similarly to a boat ladder. They’re easily folded up and stored in a bedroom and hook onto a window ledge, allowing you and your family to simply drop down to safety. The second item that can help slow the spread of fire is a home fire extinguisher. Many times a small fire can be stopped or slowed by a fire extinguisher for relatively little money.

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