Fire, CO protection essentials

It’s important that you take the necessary steps to make sure your family is ready for the unexpected in the event a home fire or carbon monoxide (CO) leak occurs. Make sure your family and home are prepared by following these tips and tools.

EVERY LEVEL, EVERY BEDROOM

Even if you have smoke and CO alarms, you and your family may not be sufficiently protected if you don’t have enough devices throughout your entire home. To ensure the highest level of protection, install alarms on every level of the home, inside every bedroom and outside each sleeping area.

TEST, MAINTAIN AND REPLACE

Even though testing your alarms is as simple as pressing a button and waiting for the beep, a First Alert survey showed that more than 60 percent of consumers do not test their smoke and CO alarms monthly. Change the batteries every six months if battery-powered and be sure all alarms have a battery backup if hardwired for protection during a power outage. To eliminate battery replacements for a decade, upgrade to 10-year sealed battery alarms to make battery replacements a thing of the past.

DOUBLE-UP ON SAFETY

While homeowners know the importance of protecting their home from the threats of smoke and fire, studies show that fewer households are equipped with CO alarms. CO — an invisible, odorless gas — is responsible for an average of 450 deaths each year. For ultimate home safety, install combination alarms for 2-in-1 protection, such as the First Alert Combination Smoke and CO Alarm with a 10-year sealed battery for long-lasting protection.

FIGHT SMALL FLAMES

The No. 1 cause of home fires is unattended cooking. Beyond alarms, having fire extinguishers — and knowing how to use them — is an integral part of a home safety plan. First Alert manufactures a model, the First Alert Kitchen Fire Extinguisher, which is rated to fight flammable liquid and electrical fires and features a durable metal head.

FORM AN ESCAPE PLAN

In the event that your family needs to evacuate your home, every second counts. Involve everyone in your household when developing an emergency escape plan. Identify two exits out of each room, including windows and doors, and set a dedicated meeting spot outside. Once outside, stay outside and call 911. Be sure to practice your escape plan with the entire family at least twice a year.

To learn more about how to keep your family and home safe, visit firstalert.com/beready.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.