FIRE SAFETY: The majority of homes now have smoke detectors; unfortunately, too many of them are not functioning properly. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the number of homes with non-functioning smoke alarms now outnumber the households with no alarms at all. Missing batteries or disconnected alarms account for over 50% of non-working alarms; dead batteries account for another 20%. In addition, most homes with smoke alarms do not have a unit on every floor.
It is easy to forget that a smoke alarm’s sole function is to sound a warning. Fire spreads fast and smoke is toxic. Generally, when the smoke from a fire triggers an alarm, there is less than three minutes to get to safety. Failure to rapidly respond when an alarm sounds is a leading cause of fire casualties.
The NFPA offers the following tips for the testing and maintenance of smoke alarms:
*Choose a smoke alarm that bears the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
*Install a smoke alarm in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home.
*For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all should sound.
*Test your smoke alarms at least every month. Use the test button or an approved smoke substitute and clean the units, all in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.
*Do not use an open-flame device for testing because of the danger the flame could pose.
*Install a new battery in all conventional smoke alarms at least once a year. Immediately install a new battery if an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low.
*Replace smoke alarms that use extended life (10-year) batteries when the alarm chirps or fails to respond to periodic testing. The batteries in these units cannot be replaced.
*Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
*Make sure everyone in the household can hear the smoke alarm(s) when sleeping. Not everyone is easily roused by the sound of an alarm; do a practice run.
*Special smoke alarms are made for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These smoke alarms use strobe (flashing) lights. The use of vibration devices may provide additional benefit in some cases.
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It is easy to forget that a smoke alarm’s sole function is to sound a warning. Fire spreads fast and smoke is toxic. Generally, when the smoke from a fire triggers an alarm, there is less than three minutes to get to safety. Failure to rapidly respond when an alarm sounds is a leading cause of fire casualties.
The NFPA offers the following tips for the testing and maintenance of smoke alarms:
*Choose a smoke alarm that bears the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
*Install a smoke alarm in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home.
*For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all should sound.
*Test your smoke alarms at least every month. Use the test button or an approved smoke substitute and clean the units, all in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.
*Do not use an open-flame device for testing because of the danger the flame could pose.
*Install a new battery in all conventional smoke alarms at least once a year. Immediately install a new battery if an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low.
*Replace smoke alarms that use extended life (10-year) batteries when the alarm chirps or fails to respond to periodic testing. The batteries in these units cannot be replaced.
*Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
*Make sure everyone in the household can hear the smoke alarm(s) when sleeping. Not everyone is easily roused by the sound of an alarm; do a practice run.
*Special smoke alarms are made for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These smoke alarms use strobe (flashing) lights. The use of vibration devices may provide additional benefit in some cases.
http://homesindurango.com/
http://durangorealestate.biz/
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