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October is National Fire Safety Month
The burning issue as the weather turns cool...Do you know how to help protect your
family and property from a home fire? Each year, fire kills more people in America
than all other natural disasters combined. It is human nature to think that bad
things only happen to other people...not to me, not to my home. The reality is that
a home fire can hit anyone, especially if they are not taking preventative measures
to ensure that their home is safe. Firefighters spend much of their time educating
people about prevention of home fires. They work to educate families on ways to
safeguard homes, communities, and individuals. October is National Fire Safety Month
and the below article is full of tips from fire safety professionals that are intended
to help you plan and practice fire safety at home. At Auto and Home we want to help
protect our clients. We are here for you!
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...How do you keep safe from
a fire? Fire prevention professionals agree that the best way to keep you safe from
a fire is by preventing the fire from happening in the first place.
Make sure your smoke detectors work...We can't say it enough!!! The importance of
smoke detectors cannot be overestimated. Most fires occur at night, while people
sleep. The toxic gases from a fire can numb your senses, disorient you and kill
you while you sleep. For this reason, properly working smoke detectors are a must!
Install a detector in every bedroom and keep one centrally located on each floor
of your home. Hallways and kitchens are especially good locations for smoke detectors.
- Because smoke rises, mount smoke detectors either on the ceiling or high on a wall
(6-12 inches from the ceiling).
- Don't install smoke detectors by doors, windows or vents, where drafts could affect
their performance.
- Test and clean your smoke detector batteries about once a month. You'll need to
replace batteries about once a year.
- Never paint your smoke detector unit -- it might clog its smoke detecting sensors.
- Gently vacuum your smoke detector and keep it free of dust and other foreign particles
that could hinder its function.
What should you do if you are faced with a fire in your home?
- If a grease fire occurs while you are cooking, do not throw water on it. Water splatters
the grease and the flames. Use a dry chemical fire extinguisher or cover the fire
with the pan lid. (That means you must have a fire extinguisher!)
- Before opening a door, make sure there's not fire on the other side. Check the closed
door for heat. If everything feels cool, brace your shoulder against the door and
open it carefully. Slam it shut if heat or smoke rushes in.
- Close all doors behind you. This can slow the spread of fire and smoke.
- Crawl low under smoke. If you encounter smoke, use an alternate escape route. If
you must exit through smoke, the cleanest air will be several inches off the floor.
Crawl on your hands and knees to the nearest safe exit.
- Once you are outside, do not go back into the house. Go to your family's central
meeting place, and then use a neighbor's phone to call the fire department.
- If you are trapped, close doors between you and the fire. Stuff the cracks around
doors and cover vents. Wait at a window and signal for help by waving a piece of
light-colored cloth.
- Everyone in your family should know the "Stop, Drop and Roll" rule. If your clothes
catch fire, don't run! Stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face with
your hands to protect your face and lungs, and roll over and over to smother the
flames.
- If you see someone on fire, quickly cover them with a blanket to smother the flames.
How about your Homeowners Policy? What are you covered for in the case of a fire?
- Read your policy carefully! We will assist you with any questions relating to your
fire coverage. It's important that you understand your homeowners insurance policy
before a fire occurs. Most basic insurance policies cover specified perils, which
include specifically named risks such as fire and smoke.
- Keep an inventory of all your things with a video and/or photos. It will be easier
to file an insurance claim if you have a complete inventory of your property, including
serial numbers, photographs or videos. After a fire it will be impossible to remember
every detailed item that you have lost in the fire. Once you have taken an inventory,
keep your inventory and photographs or videos in a safe place away from home (e.g.,
in a safety deposit box), and if you can, add supporting receipts, bills and canceled
checks.
At Auto and Home we want you to stay safe and be protected. Please take the time
during National Fire Safety Month to make sure to get prepared. Change your batteries
in your smoke alarms and make sure they are in working order! Have a safe and happy
fall season from all of us at Auto and Home!
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