Home Security Fire Preparedness Tips

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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