While the title of this blog might seem a little extreme, the truth is that around 3,000 people in the United States are killed each year due to house fires. That’s a horrific statistic but the sad thing is that a large percentage of those deaths could have been avoided if there had been sufficient, working smoke detectors. So, what will help to ensure your smoke detectors would save you in the event of a house fire?
Its essential that all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Go around the house every month and test each one, make sure batteries do not need replacing. If you are wondering how many smoke detectors you should have in a home, a good rule is to have one for each livable floor of the home, included the garage and basement. Its also a good idea to have one in each bedroom. Even if the smoke detector goes off each time food is being cooked, its important to never disconnect the smoke detector. Very often, a person will forget to reconnect it again.
For the safety of you and your household, having a fire exit strategy is vital. Make sure the entire household knows exactly what steps they should take if a fire breaks out. Smoke detectors should be loud enough and distinct enough that everyone will hear it, even if they are asleep, and recognize the sound. Periodically, perform a fire drill and see how the family react. This is a good thing to do to determine what areas need improving.
Safety is always the most important thing in a home and having sufficient smoke detectors, in good working order, is a must.
