| Your foremost concern is keeping your family safe. | | | | pop out in use. |
| Probably the most fundamental way to see to their | | | | Fire Extinguishers |
| safety is to own some sort of residential fire alarm | | | | It is a good idea for every home to have one or |
| system. Systems can range from a single smoke | | | | more fire extinguishers within easy reach. That way, |
| detector to an elaborate system monitored by a | | | | when the fire alarm does go off, quick action may |
| company. If you're not sure of what is the best | | | | prevent a small, contained fire from becoming a large |
| system for your family, then you should look into the | | | | destructive one. The best kind of fire extinguisher for |
| different types of home fire alarms. Then you will be | | | | home use is one that is relatively small (for easier |
| able to make an informed decision about the kind | | | | use) and contains a fire extinguishing chemical that |
| that will provide the most protection and work in | | | | can be used on the largest variety of fire types |
| your budget. | | | | (grease, wood, textiles, etc.). Make sure the |
| Every Home Must Have a Smoke Detector | | | | instructions are clear and easy to read, and have |
| At the very minimum, your home fire alarm system | | | | your extinguisher checked by a certified agency once |
| should include one or more smoke detectors, | | | | a year. |
| depending on the size of the house. Smoke | | | | Monitored Fire Alarm Systems |
| detectors are a small alarm that's mounted on the | | | | The very top of the line is a monitored residential fire |
| ceiling. When the machine detects smoke, the alarm | | | | alarm system. This is usually installed along with a |
| goes off. Many small apartments have only one, but | | | | burglar alarm system. These systems will include |
| the safest way is to have one to each room. | | | | remote monitoring from a company that will contact |
| Smoke detector options include an interconnected | | | | fire and medical authorities in the event of an |
| system of smoke alarms, in which if one goes off, all | | | | emergency. A monitored fire alarm system will |
| the others do as well, and smoke detectors with built | | | | contain a central control panel that hooks up to |
| in carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is an | | | | several smoke alarms and heat detectors. Heat |
| odorless, deadly gas that can be produced by an | | | | detectors are usually more reliable than smoke |
| improperly working furnace. | | | | detectors alone, since they contain more |
| Although it seems like a good idea to have a smoke | | | | sophisticated mechanics. These all inclusive systems |
| alarm in the kitchen, because that is where the | | | | have the additional advantage of being run off the |
| majority of home fires start, in reality it is not | | | | house power with battery backup in the event of a |
| recommended. This is because smoke can be a usual | | | | power outage. |
| product of food preparation, burned toast for | | | | The disadvantage to this system is the cost of |
| example, and it is inconvenient to have to respond to | | | | installation, and the monitoring service does require a |
| these false alarms. The smoke detector placed in the | | | | small monthly fee. However, if you can make room in |
| next room will sound if there is a real fire in the | | | | the budget for it, the ability to put more |
| kitchen. | | | | sophisticated detectors in some places, such as the |
| Many home smoke detectors use battery power. | | | | kitchen, and the enhanced reliability of outside |
| With battery powered smoke alarms a general rule | | | | monitoring are good reasons to purchase such a |
| of thumb is change the battery once a year without | | | | system. |
| fail. One way to remember is to do it on the day we | | | | A Fire Alarm for Deaf People |
| turn the clocks back in fall. Other smoke detectors | | | | If you are deaf, or someone in your family is, you |
| are "hardwired," that is connected to the electricity in | | | | know that the world can be a tricky place. There are |
| the house; however, electric smoke alarms do not | | | | many situations in which you are not able to hear |
| work when the power is out, just when your family | | | | something like the doorbell or the telephone. One |
| may need them. Another popular option is an | | | | thing that might be over looked, but is very |
| electrical smoke alarm with battery back-up, in which | | | | important, is having a fire alarm for the deaf. |
| case you must still change the battery every year. | | | | The most common kind of fire alarm for the deaf is |
| Automatic Sprinklers | | | | one that has a very bright flashing strobe that goes |
| Many cities and states have laws requiring automatic | | | | off when the fire alarm goes off. When this happens, |
| fire sprinklers in new residential buildings, usually in high | | | | even if the person is sleeping, the light should wake |
| density communities. If you are building or remodeling | | | | them up. It needs to be a very bright strobe, and it |
| your home, take automatic fire sprinklers into | | | | needs to be located in a place where it will be |
| consideration. The cost can certainly be steep, but | | | | noticed when it goes off. This can be necessary if |
| the savings can be enormous, the lives of your family | | | | you have deaf family members or even friends who |
| members and your home and precious keepsakes. | | | | visit often. |
| Automatic sprinklers are plumbed into the water | | | | But whether you go for the less expensive home fire |
| system of the house, and will release a forceful | | | | alarm system or for something with extra features, it |
| spray of water when the temperature at the ceiling | | | | is vital that you have some sort of residential fire |
| reaches a certain level. They can be recessed into | | | | alarm system in the house for the safety of your |
| the ceiling using white, black or neutral fittings, and will | | | | most precious belongings, your family. |