Fire Safety Tips

Do you know that home security means more than protecting your family from burglars? There are many other dangers that your family can face. One of the biggest dangers that your family needs to protect themselves from is fire. You need to learn as much as you can about fire safety so you can do everything you can to protect your family. One of the things you want to do is research and learn as many home fire safety tips and other information that you can.
A good way to learn home fire safety tips is by looking online. There is all kinds of tips and information online about fire safety. You just have to set aside time to learn all you can because if you don’t and the unthinkable should happen to your family, you may lose more than you bargained for, such as your family’s lives. Don’t let this happen to you. Research and learn all you can.
When you get online to research, there are many different news stories that you can read about fire safety to help you learn home fire safety tips. There was one news story done by homesafetycouncil.org about how to keep your family safe at home. Here are some of the different tips that they give.
1. “Make a fire escape plan for your family. Find two exits out of every room. Pick a meeting place outside. Practice makes perfect – hold a family fire drill at least twice each year.”
2. “Install smoke alarms on every level of your home. For the best detection and notification protection, install both ionization – and photoelectric-type smoke alarms. Some models provide dual coverage. Put them inside or near every bedroom. Test them monthly to make sure they work. Put in new batteries once a year.”
These are not all of the home fire safety tips that you need to know but they are some of the most important ones. You have to make sure that everyone in your family knows what to do during a fire. You also need to have a way to be alerted to fire danger if you want to get your family out alive. So, do your homework and work with your family to make sure everyone knows what happens if this danger should occur.
It is a good idea also to research different fire safety products such as, smoke alarms, that will alert you of the danger. One that is popular with many people is the DXS-73 – Supervised Photoelectric Smoke Detector Transmitter. This smoke alarm has a built-in transmitter that is designed for use with Linear’s DXS and DX format receivers. When smoke is detected, the alarm sounds a loud local alarm. Twenty seconds after the local alarm sounds, the built in transmitter sends a digitally coded wireless signal to its companion receiver. The wireless signal will be repeated every 20 seconds as long as smoke is still present.
Another one that you want to research is the FSA-410BST – DSC 4 Wire Smoke Detector W/Heat and sounder. Automatic drift compensation, High/Low sensitivity trouble, easy maintenance replaceable chamber, magnet activated test, unique, non-contact sensitivity reading with hand-held FSD-100 test meter, Built-in, fixed temperature heat sensor option with an alarm threshold of 135 degrees F. Both of these can be researched at homesecuritystore.us.
You want to remember that your family can face many different dangers. So, do everything you can to protect them against all of them, including fire. Fire safety is something that every family needs to know. There are many home fire safety tips that you can learn to help you keep your family safe.
Ralph Winn has over 35 years of education and experience in the security industry.
Are you one of the many Americans who have begun to look into improving their home security? This is an important matter and a security system offers the best protection against burglary and vandalism.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Many home fires can be traced back to electrical problems of one kind or another. Often we will take the electricity that runs through our home for granted and not keep in mind just how dangerous it can be when it is not working correctly or when we do things that help to cause an electrical fire. We need to know what things to avoid and precautions we should take when it comes to handling the electricity in our houses.
Here are just some of the most important things everyone needs to know and remember when dealing with electricity at home:
1. Never use extension cords when it is not necessary.
2. Never run any electrical cord underneath a carpet or rug
3. Make sure any cord you are plugging into an outlet is not damaged. Dry brittle cords that are old or cracked can easily catch fire. Replace the cord as soon as you notice any damage or have a problem with it.
4. Watch out for overloaded circuits. When lights flicker when you turn on an appliance, it could be indicating that the circuit is overloaded and you may need to have the wiring checked out or move the appliance to another outlet if possible.
5. People often do not realize the fire risk of light bulbs. Some light bulbs like the new halogen ones can get very hot. It is important to never allow them to come in contact with anything flammable. Throwing things on top of lamp shades or even stacking items on a closet shelf too close to a light fixture in the ceiling can start a fire.
6. Any appliance that shocks you even a little bit can be a potential hazard.
7. When a light bulb blows out too often, it could be too much wattage for that particular light fixture.
8. Three pronged plugs should only be used into a three holed outlet. Never remove the third prong to force fit it into a two holed outlet.
9. Space heaters are notorious for starting fires. Never place them near anything flammable and make sure they can not be turned over. Buying heaters that shut off automatically are the safest investment.
10. If you have small children, use outlet covers to prevent them from electrocuting themselves. This is one accident you definitely want to avoid.
Just by following these simple rules and precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of having electrical fires in your home. Making sure your smoke detectors are always working properly is essential for fire safety. Keep at least one working fire extinguisher in the home as well. Fire is one of the most dangerous things that can happen in a home. You will rest a lot easier knowing that you are doing all that you can to prevent them.

Source: http://www.brunkco.com/

You will not find very many folks that do not love the taste of food that has been cooked on an outdoor grill. Some like to use the old fashioned charcoal versions and others prefer the no mess gas grills. Whichever type you prefer, it is always a nice change of pace from indoor cooking. It is usually done in the warm weather months, but it is not unthinkable for some people to do it in the cooler months as well. The main thing about grill cooking outdoors is getting the job done safely because when you get a little negligent, it could cause some serious accidents.
Here are just a few tips for the outdoor grilling cooks:
1. Keep your grill clean. No one wants to cook food on a grill that still has all the gook left on it from the last time it was used. Use whatever cleaners are recommended for your specific grill.
2. If you use a charcoal grill, do not use more charcoal than necessary. This will save you money
3. Never use more starter on the charcoal than is recommended.
4. Always let your charcoal burn for as long as is recommended before putting the food on. You want the food to have that grilled flavor, but you do not want it to taste like charcoal starter fluid.
5. If you are using a gas grill, make sure all of your connections are done correctly and make sure you follow your grill cooking instructions carefully too.
6. Be sure you have your grill in an open area that is conducive to grilling. You should never use a charcoal grill indoors or a gas grill that was designed for outdoors.
7. Be sure you keep children and pets away from a hot grill.
8. When you are finished with your grilling, be sure the charcoal is out and a gas grill is off.
9. Keep your grill covered if it is exposed to the elements outside. This will help prevent water damage and rusting.
10. Whether it is a windy day or not, never leave your outdoor unattended. You would never want to allow an outdoor fire to start because of your grill.
11. Use extra care if you are grilling on a balcony such as in an apartment or condominium building. You should be sure that grilling on your balcony is allowed at all because in some places it is illegal or against policy.
Just by following these common sense safety tips you should be able to cook outside safely enough. You always want to use caution anytime there is a fire going on outdoors or indoors.

Source: http://www.brunkco.com/

A fire is usually a wake up call for most families. They wonder about what went wrong and what they can do differently once they get back into their home. The first step should be an inspection to narrow down the cause of the fire. Was it electrical? If so, was it the home’s wiring or was it a faulty electrical appliance that caused the fire and the resulting fire damage? Was it human carelessness that caused this tragedy? Was the cause of fire damage never discovered?
Once the fire’s cause is discovered then you can start working on your new upgrades. Wiring should be brought to modern code, especially in the case of older homes. Fire damage usually result in walls being replaced in the initial room as well as those surrounding it, so rewiring will be more convenient at this time. Check your electrician’s credentials, this is no time to save a dollar. Your insurance company may require a certified electrician, or even one of their own to renew your policy.
Another upgrade you can consider to hinder future fire damage is sprinklers and burn resistant materials. Some wall coverings are more burn resistant than others and may well be worth looking into. Sprinkler systems as well as integrated smoke detectors may lower your insurance rates as well as add resale value to your home. At the very least they will give you and your family peace of mind.
Do not overlook the need for fire extinguishers in your home. At the very least you need one in your kitchen, but for ultimate safety you should have one on each level of your home as well as the kitchen, the laundry room and in the general area of the hot water heater and furnace. If you use space heaters in other rooms, then a fire extinguisher should be handy there as well.
After restoring your home after all of the fire damage, you should write and practice an escape route for your family. Consider having a fire drill at least once a year, or more often if you have small children. Make sure that you have more than one exit available to you and a clear cut meeting place once everybody is outside. Other safety equipment to consider here would be a folding ladder for escaping a second floor window. An escape kit might be placed in a garage or with a trusted neighbor which would include spare clothing, and any relevant information for each family member. Include phone numbers that you will be needing in the next few days, including your insurance agent and family members that will need to be notified of what has happened.
Safety upgrades and equipment may go further to easing your mind than anything else, but do not go overboard. Try to settle back into life, and realize that after a fire, with all traces of fire damage lingering around, it will take some time for things to be back to normal. Allow yourself the time to get over the tragedy that has happened to you, and then to start enjoying your house once again.

Source: http://www.brunkco.com/

Every year more than 700 lives are lost and 5,000 people are injured in bedroom blazes, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Unprotected mattresses are not designed to help control the outbreak from open-flame fire sources such as candles, matches, and sparks from electrical outlets and lighters.
In less than five minutes, most mattresses, when ignited, can reach what fire officials call “flashover” temperatures (around 900 degrees F). Flashover generates enough heat to ignite an entire room at once, and forces smoke and fire throughout the rest of the house. To prevent bedroom fires and keep you and your family safe, here are some critical tips to keep in mind:
Protect Your Family with Smoke Alarms
* Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and familiarize your family with the sound of your smoke alarm.
* Test the smoke alarm each month and replace the battery every six months to a year.
* Replace the smoke alarm every 10 years or as recommended by the manufacturer.
Install a Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm
* Place one outside areas where people sleep.
* Make sure everyone knows the difference between the sound of a smoke alarm and a CO alarm.
Create a Fire Escape Plan
* Create several escape plans with different exits in case one or more are blocked with fire and/or smoke.
* Practice home drills on a regular basis.
* Young children often panic in fires, hiding in closets or under beds – teach them to get out of the house immediately.
The Need for Fire Extinguishers
* Make sure one is placed on every level of the house.
* Read instructions and become familiar with its parts and operation.
* Do a pressure check every month.
Look for a Mattress Made with Open-Flame Resistant Protection
* Buy a mattress that includes an open-flame resistant protection, such as Serta’s FireBlocker, to keep you and your family safe from bedroom fires. These mattresses pass a 30-minute ignition test and give you and your family more time to escape safely in the case of a bedroom fire.
* Look for the label that specifies whether or not the mattress has open-flame resistant protection. Serta is the first and only national manufacturer to provide open-flame resistant protection in all its bedding nationwide.
Electrical Maintenance
* Make sure wet areas in your home are protected by ground fault circuit interrupters.
* Use safe light bulb wattage for each fixture.
* Never use worn, frayed or otherwise damaged cords or appliances.
Know What Your Children Are Doing
* Do not leave young children alone even for a short time.
* Keep matches and lighters in a secure drawer or cabinet.
Careful Candle Use
* Use candles only in rooms where there is a responsible adult awake to control and oversee the flame.
* Keep candles away from items that can catch fire.
* Keep candles away from high-traffic locations where they can be easily knocked over.
By: Ned Gonzalez

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Camping out in the woods can be one of the most gratifying experiences available for those who stress over the hustle and bustle of daily life in or near a city. The dangers of contemporary lifestyles and environments can themselves drive people to the slow pace of the woods. Crime, careless drivers, pollution, identify theft. Who needs it!
While seeking a safe haven from the pitfalls of “civilization”, the camper must also bear in mind that the great outdoors is fraught with its own set of dangers. Let’s consider a few and how you can counter the risks.
In part 1 of this two-part series, we’ll look at food safety, ensuring you have clean water to drink, and avoiding ticks.
FOOD SAFETY
Bacteria can invade many types of food, especially those high in protein and moisture, such as milk, milk products, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, cream pies, custards and potato salad. After preparation, these foods must be kept either hot (above 140 degrees Fahrenheit) or cold (below 45 degrees Fahrenheit). Between the two temperature ranges lurks the danger.
A camper who does not have the means of sustaining food that can easily spoil outside of those thermometer readings should not bring them on the trip at all. It would be much safer to bring canned food and garden goodies.
Exposed food should be prepared prior to the trip and protected in plastic prior to icing them since ice can trap harmful bacteria. For example, though ice pulled from a frozen stream in winter can help to keep food cold, it should never be permitted to touch the food itself.
And whether eating meals from a picnic table or sitting on the ground, always cover the eating area with something clean, like a plastic table cloth.
Any food that you suspect may be spoiled should be disposed of rather than eaten. The risk is just too high.
CLEAN DRINKING WATER
When you are thirsty, there is nothing like a cold, clear glass of water to satisfy. At home, our tap water is normally relatively safe, though many people opt to filter it through one means or another to improve the odds of safe drinking.
Aside from water that is purified for us, however, it has been estimated that the vast majority of surface water in the US fails to meet government standards for intake safety.
When you are camping without your own water (or a sufficient supply) and are not at a camp ground that has purified running water available, you will need to take additional measures to protect yourself from water contaminated by bacteria and viruses.
There are fundamentally four options for accomplishing this. The first you can do at the camp site. The other three require preparation prior to heading out to the camp site.
* Boil the water – Heat suspect water to a boil, and let it continue to do so for several minutes. After cooling off, it should be consumable.
* Iodine liquid or tablets – Instructions that come with the iodine will explain how many drops to use for a specific amount of water, and for what time period.
* Filtering – Most microorganisms can be filtered out depending upon the materials used in the filter and the filtering design of the unit. When purchased, be sure the instructions clearly state what will and will not be filtered out.
* Purification – Purifying will remove or kill all dangerous water-born bacteria. Using this method, the water should be run through the purifier at least a couple of times to ensure drinking safety.
AVOIDING TICKS
Ticks look innocuous on the surface. But tiny as they are, they still have the potency to make a person very ill with Lyme Disease. They can dig their way into a person’s skin very easily without notice when he rests up against a tree or walks in brush. Once on the skin, ticks will burrow their way in and are not easily removed.
Before you head into the woods, you will need to minimize opportunities that these blood suckers have to find their way to your skin through an opening in your clothing. Tuck in whatever clothing you can: shirt into pants, pant legs into socks, shirt sleeve over top of gloves (if the weather is cool enough for gloves).
Additionally, spray on your clothing a good insect repellent that has a high percentage of. The repellent can be located at any sporting goods store and most general retail outlets.
Upon return to your camp site or turning into your tent for the night, check your body visually and with your hands looking for any small bumps that may be indicative of a tick that has landed on or embedded itself into your skin. Have someone else look carefully through your hair (running their fingers through it) and scan anywhere else that you cannot easily see, such as your back.
If you find that a tick has dug itself into your skin, immediately (but very carefully) remove it with tweezers. Grab it as close to its legs as possible, making sure to extract its entire body. If you are unable to do so, it would be better to leave the camp site for a time to visit a doctor than to risk infection.
In part 2 of this brief series, we will continue our consideration of camping safety tips, focusing specifically on camp fires, wild animals, and dangerous activities in the woods.
By: Mike Foster

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There are millions of people everywhere who enjoy the relaxation of camping. Whether you’re spending the weekend camping with your family at the local state park or backpacking through the backcountry, there are some general rules of camping safety that you should always follow. Many of these camping safety tips are simply common sense, but it is still a good idea to review these guidelines before setting out for any type of outdoor adventure.
General Camping Safety
Camping safety begins before you ever set out on your vacation. Check the weather forecast ahead of time and be prepared for rain or storms. Pack emergency rain gear, as well as a well-stocked first aid kit, and plan to arrive at your campsite as early as possible. You want plenty of time to set up camp before the sun sets.
Upon arrival, inspect your campsite closely for glass and harmful debris, poisonous plants and animals, and areas that may be prone to flooding in the case of a heavy downpour. Set up your tent on flat ground and remove any rocks, branches, or other objects that could damage your tent or be uncomfortable to sleep on.
If you are camping with children, check the campsite closely for fire ants, hornet or wasp nests, dangerous grades, and other potential hazards before settling in. Wear light colors and refrain from using scented lotions, soaps, and perfumes to prevent attracting bees and mosquitoes. Coleman citronella candles can ward off mosquitoes as well.
Use caution whenever you operate your propane stove or grill and anytime you have a campfire. Never leave any of these unattended. Keep your campsite clean, storing food in closed containers and disposing of garbage, to reduce the chances of bears, raccoons, or other wild animals entering your campsite. Never keep food items inside your tent.
Hiking and Outdoor Activity Safety
Anytime you decide to enjoy the great outdoors, it is important to remember that you are in nature’s domain. To stay safe, it is your responsibility to follow the proper safety precautions. It is a good idea to become familiar with poisonous and harmful plants, animals, and insects that are common to your area. Always carry a small first aid kit while hiking or biking and have knowledge of first aid procedures for outdoors. If you should come in contact with poison ivy or sumac, apply calamine lotion to the infected area to relieve the itching.
Stay on the designated trail and avoid high grass and overgrowth. Wear light colors so ticks are easy to spot and check your head and body for any possible ticks each night. If you find a tick that has already bitten, remove it gently with tweezers, taking care not to crush the body or leave the head. Clean the bite area with warm water and soap and see a doctor if you experience a fever or rash within the next few days or if you think the tick was attached for more than 2 days.
Never enjoy the beauty of nature alone. Have at least one companion with you wherever you go and whatever you are doing outdoors and tell your friends and family where you will be and how long you plan to be gone.
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Every head of household wants their family to be safe and the same goes with property managers who keep safety at top of mind to keep tenants safe and secure. New homeowners and landlords may not have an emergency preparedness plan but soon find out it is necessary. Even if you have never had an emergency where you live or work; checking the safety of your residence once a year is vital to minimize risk.
Families are usually more concerned with testing smoke alarms, co detectors and checking fire extinguishers expiration date. In the event you ever use your fire extinguisher be sure to replace it immediately; partial filled extinguishers are no fun during an urgent time of need. Replace the batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a year but it is recommended every six months. Many find that working this into the spring & fall cleaning works very well. Once you replace the batteries test the units to ensure they still give a loud clear ringing alarm. The last thing you want to do is sleep through the alarm and be caught in a burning home.
Property managers need a more comprehensive plan than families because they usually have multiple families, businesses and properties to maintain. All facilities should be thoroughly checked every six months and it is a good idea to have the fire department take a look if you have a larger complex. Many insurance companies for property firms require this anyways, so this will help with your due diligence. Also if you have any public buildings such as business parks make sure a new emergency exit map with routes is given to all tenants once a year; even if they already have one in good shape that is exactly the same it is a good reminder. You will be surprised how often the emergency plans get misplaced, buried under paperwork or accidently thrown away.
Here is a short list of items to check every six to twelve months; skip the ones that don’t apply but you might think about adding some of the items that are missing to your emergency plan.
Smoke detectors & alarms
Carbon monoxide detectors & alarms
Fire Extinguishers
Escape Ladders
Emergency Exit Signs
Emergency Lighting
All of the above items can be found at local hardware stores or online; if you have a large property or multiple properties it is a good idea to plan replacing all of them at once. You can buy in bulk to save quite a bit of money and might even be able to get them at wholesale cost or very close to cost. Always make sure there is a safe way out.
By: Marc Edward

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Here’s a safety tip that strikes the right note. Several months ago, a fire severely damaged part of a recording studio being used by the musical group the Black Eyed Peas. Fortunately, an employee and an engineer were able to use portable fire extinguishers to keep the fire localized-just one of many stories that demonstrate that portable fire extinguishers can save lives and protect property.
The Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association recommends the following:
• Know where the fire extinguishers and fire hose stations are located and how to use them.
• Create and practice an evacuation plan.
• Call a licensed fire equipment company to maintain and/or replace outdated fire equipment and pre-engineered fire suppression systems.
• Contact your fire department about conducting a fire prevention class and have it review your emergency plans.
By: Stacey Moore
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
To obtain a “Life Safety Tool Kit” for your office, please contact www.femalifesafety.org. Experts recommend contacting your fire department to conduct a fire prevention class and review your emergency plans.

People say that camping is not really camping without a campfire. Camp fires serve as the ultimate symbol of camping out. It is the center of attention when cooking outdoors or having camping outdoor activities at night. Undeniably, the pleasure of building a camp fire brings much delight to every camper – newbie and avid campers alike. However, despite the fun it brings, campfires can be really dangerous. That is why you should always take precautionary measures in setting them up.
a. If you are setting your camp in a popular camp site, look for a campfire pit. If your campsite has been used by many campers before, there is a high chance that a campfire pit already exists. As such, you won’t have to worry about preparing the grounds for a safe camp fire.
b. If your camp site is relatively new or if the last camp on your site is a month ago, then the task of setting up a fire pit lies on you. Building a fire pit is not really that easy. It requires very important steps that you should follow in order to ensure that the camp fire will be safe. In creating the pit, you can start by digging the soil up to 3 feet. Place some rocks around the fire pit. Make sure that there is no dried debris around it. When setting the actual campfire, place the combustible debris inside the pit. Keep in mind that if you fail to place the debris properly, they might fly out of the fire pit and cause a debris blow out.
c. All of the burning materials for the camp fire should be placed inside the pit area and inside the rocks that you arranged. The arrangement of the materials play a vital role in making sure that your fire will light up faster and that debris will not fly out of the pit. Make sure that you place all of the light materials first. After the lighter materials, place dry woods, and then the coal.
d. When setting up your camping kitchen, make sure that it is not near your camp fire pit. Avoid setting your fire pit near dried trees or hanging vines as well. This way, you can avoid causing a blow out or a forest fire the moment some of your burning debris flies out of the fire pit area.
e. When setting your camp fire, keep a handy water bucket or sand bag near you. In case the fire blows out, you can use these to stop the fire from spreading. These natural fire extinguishers are much preferable camp sites because gas fire extinguishers can cause a big wood blow out.
f. Do not leave your campfire unattended. Before you leave the campsite, make sure that you completely put off the fire and the flame. Also, if you leave the campsite, never leave any campfire ingredient such as dry woods, coal, or debris near the camp fire pit. Maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from the campfire ingredients to the fire pit.