Fire Safety Tips

House fires are frightening and deadly. Homeowners should make sure that their homes are not susceptible to fire. Here is a list of fire prevention tips:
* Test smoke alarms regularly.
* Keep alarms free of dust and cobwebs.
* Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home.
* Replace batteries in smoke alarms twice a year.
* Replace alarms that are older than 10 years.
* Consider having a sprinkler system installed in your home.
* Install escape ladders on the upper levels of your home and make sure everyone knows how to use them.
* Keep fire extinguishers easy to reach on every level of your home.
* If building a new home, make sure firebreaks are installed in the framing.
* Dig a window well and install a window if you have a basement bedroom.
* Check the seals on your windows and doors since drafts will cause the fire to spread.
* Practice a fire escape drill with your family.

Wildfires are a frightening and deadly natural disaster, which spread with rapid speed and can destroy everything in their path. Homeowners can take precautions to protect their homes from wildfires by using the following list of tips:
* Have roofs and gutters cleared of debris yearly.
* Have chimneys inspected and cleaned twice a year.
* Choose fire resistant materials when building.
* Build a firebreak around your house. (Contact your local fire department for firebreak guidelines.)
* Plant fire resistant trees and shrubs. (Contact a landscape designer
or firm.)
* Have a tree trimming service remove all branches that are below 15 feet high.
* Clear away dead and dry vegetation yearly.
* Keep a ladder and a garden hose handy that will reach the roof of your house.

These simple tips can help keep you and your family safe from fire:
Working smoke detectors should be in place on every level of your home and in all bedrooms. The detectors should be tested once a month, and batteries should be replaced at least once a year (for example, during the switch to daylight-saving time). Replace smoke detectors every 10 years.
Keep matches and other heat sources out of children’s reach. Children under 5 set more than 100,000 fires every year. Plan and practice escape routes and fire evacuation procedures with your family. Teach children to crawl low under smoke and to “stop, drop and roll” after they’ve left the burning house.
Never smoke in bed. Extinguish cigars/cigarettes if you become sleepy. Never leave lit cigars or cigarettes or pipes unattended.
Invest in a home fire sprinkler system. These systems can be attached to any home’s standard plumbing system. Your local fire department can provide more information.
Keep combustible materials (for example, bedding, draperies, etc.) at least three feet away from portable space heaters or other sources that pose a potential for fire. Use fire screens on your fireplace and have your chimney cleaned each year. Don’t overload circuits or extension cords. Don’t place electric cords under rugs or in high traffic areas.

There are three basic types of safes to choose from:
* The fire-resistant safe
* The burglar-resistant safe
* The combination fire and burglar resistant safe
Fire Resistant Safe
The fire-resistant safe is designed to protect paper from fire. It is constructed with a thin metal double wall design which allows a fire-resistant insulating material to be put between the walls. In the event of a fire, the insulating material releases moisture which keeps the interior safe temperature below the burning point of paper. These safes are rated by the length of time they will protect their contents under test conditions. A 1/2-hour rating is used only for small fire-insulated boxes. Most fire-resistant safes have 1-hour or 2-hour ratings. These are adequate for the protection of paper records in normal residential or commercial fires. The 4-hour rating is only used for record rooms. If a safe is labeled as a fire resistant container, that label is usually provided by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL). However there are other testing agencies which test and label safes, such as Japan Institute of Standards (JIS). These labels are equivalent to UL labels.
The burglary resistance of a fire safe is minimal. Any metal box with a combination lock is described as a Class 1 burglary resistant container.
The media safe is designed to protect electronic media such as computer disks and video tapes. Like regular fire safes, media safes have UL ratings for protection times.Electronic media are more sensitive to heat and humidity than paper so media saves are differently constructed and much more heavily insulated than regular fire safes with the same rating.
Burglar Resistant Safe
The burglar-resistant safe is designed to contain valuables. It is constructed with solid metal walls and a heavy door resistant to attack by drilling, cutting or prying. Hardened and drill resistant metals are often used to slow down attempts to break in to this safe. These safes are rated in two ways:
1. The class rating (1-5) is based on a combination of door and wall thickness, and in the higher ratings (3-5), resistance to certain forms of attack such as drilling and cutting with a torch. Insurance companies use this rating to designate how much cash may be kept in the safe.
2. The UL rating is a system developed by Underwriters Laboratory which rates safes based on how long they will resist various forms of attack. The UL ratings start at 15 minutes and go to one hour. In addition they add the following letter designations: DR drill resistant, TL tool resistant, TR torch resistant, TRTL tool and torch resistant and finally the X6 designation is reserved for the very best bankers and jewelers safes. They would be designated : TRTL60X6. Please keep in mind that any UL designated burglary safe is of high quality and gives excellent protection.
There are two specialized burglary resistant safes that are commonly used for storage of cash, the in floor safe and the drop safe.
The in floor safe is a round or square tube with a heavily constructed lid which lifts out when unlocked. The tube is usually installed in a concrete floor or it can be installed on the floor surface in a concrete block which adds weight and protects the tube from attack. The main advantage of this safe is the low cost. Since the exposed lid is the only part that is heavily constructed, good protection can be achieved inexpensively.
The drop safe allows envelopes or bank bags to be inserted into the safe while the safe remains locked. The drop can be as simple as a slot in the lid of an in floor safe, or it can be an elaborate hopper or drawer designed to allow large items to be inserted. These safes are used where frequent cash deposits must be made to deter robbery. Often the manager is the only one with access to the “dropped” cash. These safes are never UL burglary rated and are not recommended for long term storage of cash. They are also quite light and should be bolted to the floor or counter to deter the smash-and-grab thief.
Combination Burglary and Fire Resistant Safe
The combination burglary and fire-resistant safe is designed to give protection against both fire and burglary. It is usually designed as a burglary safe with a secondary wall constructed inside the safe which contains insulation. This safe can be UL rated for both burglary and fire protection.
Another type of combination fire and burglar resistant safe is one where a small burglary resistant container is installed in a larger fire-resistant container. In newer units the fire resistance is UL labeled but often the burglary container is not.
Older Safes
Most older safes are not labeled as either burglar or fire resistant. We can only guess at their true quality and in the case of the burglary containers rate them Class 1, 2, or 3 based on door and wall thickness, according to insurance classifications.
Another point to remember is that often insurance companies ask their clients to by a safe based on weight or to have the safe bolted to the floor if it isn’t heavy enough. Many of those clients come to us wanting to buy an inexpensive fire-resistant safe and have it bolted to the floor. We believe this is a poor solution. Bolting a safe to the floor does not increase its burglary resistance. It might slow a burglar in an attempt to remove the safe, but fire safes can be pried open relatively easily. Thus the burglar may not take the safe but the valuables inside will be easily accessible.
One final point: we recommend monitored alarm systems for all burglary resistant containers. Given enough time, knowledge and tools, a burglar can break into any safe. Reducing the time the burglar will remain undetected allows the safe to do its job.

Most people have heard of gun shy dogs. It’s really a misnomer, because they aren’t afraid of guns as such. They’re afraid of any loud noises that resemble a gun being shot. This includes vehicles backfiring, fireworks, thunderstorms and, of course, gunfire.
Many gun shy dogs have been seriously injured and even killed when fireworks displays have scared them. Their first instinct is to run and, unfortunately, that often means running into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
Dog owners with gun shy dogs have to be watchful, especially in summer, when there often are loud noises that come out of the blue. Apart from running into harms way, gun shy dogs can be extremely destructive.
They climb on and destroy furniture, they scratch in corners, at walls and doors. They dig under fences in a desperate attempt to escape. Some dogs have severely injured themselves jumping through glass windows in fear.
Dog owners who inadvertently leave a door or gate open will soon discover that their beloved dogs have disappeared. If you’re lucky, your dog will return when the fear and the perceived danger has stopped.
Here are six safety tips you can use to protect your gun shy dog.
Dog Safety Tip #1. Travel safety
If your gun shy dog travels with you, be aware of areas where there might be loud noises, such as while driving past road construction. The workers often use dynamite and heavy machinery that can scare your dog. Keep your car windows rolled up.
Dog Safety Tip #2. Keep an ID on your dog
A gun shy dog should always wear a secure collar with an ID tag attached that contains the dog’s name and dog owner’s phone number, and a current rabies tag.
Be sure to include any special information that finders might need to know. For instance, if he requires medication (ie: diabetes, thyroid, epilepsy), just in case you don’t get him back before his next dose. If he does go into a health situation, the finder won’t have to worry that he might have rabies or other dangerous disease. Besides, the person will know to get treatment for your dog.
Dog Safety Tip #3. Find a safe place for your gun shy dog
Dogs will seek shelter where they can hide, often somewhere tight and dark such as under a table or in a cave. You can ease his distress by making a spot for him in a closet or under the bed where he can head when he becomes afraid. Get him used to that area prior to such an emergency. Put a familiar blanket on the floor and include a favorite toy to help distract him from the noise. A radio will help.
Dog Safety Tip #4. Seek medical advice
Some gun shy dogs are absolutely terrified and anxious during fireworks displays and thunder storms. Ask your vet if he can prescribe a sedative you can keep on hand for such events.
Dog Safety Tip #5.
Get training for your gun shy dog. Dog trainers can advise you on how to desensitize your pet to those alarming loud noises. It will take some time, but it can be done.
Dog Safety Tip #6: Watch your own reaction
The first instinct of many dog owners is to hold their trembling dog and talk sweetly to try to calm him. This is one of the worst things you can do because it confirms his beliefs that something is wrong.
The best approach is to talk normally to your dog, reassure him by telling him “it’s okay, relax”, and pet him normally. Don’t make a big fuss. Laughing is a good response because it’s the opposite of what he’s experiencing and sends the message that there really is nothing to fear.
Distraction is extremely effective. Call his name when he’s listening intently to the noise. Offer his squeaky toy. Play with him while constantly talking to keep his ears busy.
With these six dog safety tips, dog owners can alleviate their pet’s fears and keep them safe from harm.
Preparation is important. Have a leash handy for when things get too noisy. Have sedatives on hand. Make sure all the doors, windows and gates are secured. Close your car windows. Get your dog used to a safe hideout in your home where he can feel protected.
Dog safety is of prime importance for any dog owner with a gun shy dog.

Dads are usually in charge of fixing up the Christmas tree, the lights, and Christmas ornaments. With such a responsibility, keeping safety in mind becomes imperative. Here are some safety tips for installing and decorating a Christmas tree, from the National Safety Council.
Christmas Trees
• A real tree can add to the spirit of Christmas by filling your home with beauty and the scent of pine. But a real tree can also pose a fire hazard. Each year, more than 400 residential fires involve Christmas trees and tragically nearly 40 deaths and 100 injuries result from those fires.
• Try to select a fresh tree by looking for one that is green. The needles of pines and spruces should bend and not break and should be hard to pull off the branches. On fir species, a needle pulled from a fresh tree will snap when bent, much like a fresh carrot. Also, look for a trunk sticky with sap.
• Cut off about two inches of the trunk and put the tree in a sturdy, water-holding stand. Keep the stand filled with water so the tree does not dry out quickly.
• Stand your tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Make sure the tree does not block foot traffic or doorways.
• If you use an artificial tree, choose one that tested and labeled as fire resistant. Artificial trees with built-in electrical systems should have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.
Tree lights
• Only use indoor lights indoors (and outdoor lights only outdoors). Look for the UL label. Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Replace or repair any damaged light sets.
• Also, use no more than three light sets on any one extension cord. Extension cords should be placed against the wall to avoid tripping hazards, but do not run cords under rugs.
• Turn off all lights on trees and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.
Tree ornaments
• Always use the proper step stool or ladder to reach high places.
• Read labels before you use materials that come in jars, cans and spray cans.
• Never place lighted candles on a tree or near any flammable materials.
• Avoid placing breakable tree ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower branches where small children or pets can reach them.
• Do not hang popcorn chains and candy canes on the tree when small children are present. They may think that other tree ornaments are also edible.
As a new family, you can create your own traditions, reaffirming the ones from your past and replacing the ones you didn’t enjoy. Find unique christmas gifts ideas for dads, kids and moms.
Article Source: ABC Article Directory
Paul Banas is a founder of GreatDad.com. He writes articles on parenting tips, holiday gifts, gifts for dads and many more topics related to family holiday celebrations.

While you’re away from home on your camping vacation, remember that safety and first aid becomes even more important. Accidents can happen during your camping trip that you may have to deal and being prepared for cuts, scrapes and injuries is very important, as well as knowing what to do in case of an emergency.
Every camper should have a first aid kit and survival aids packed alongside their tents and coolers, and it’s a wise thing to know something about handling injuries and the people that are suffering from them.
To increase your camping safety and keep your grounds as accident-free as possible, begin by walking the area and looking for hazards such as broken glass, sticks jammed into the ground at dangerous angles, slippery spots to avoid or rocky areas that could be dangerous in a fall. If there is deadfall on the ground, remove as much as possible and clear the area.
Accidents such as being jabbed by a branch during a fall could be avoided by a little prevention. During your stay, always try to keep safety in the forefront by making sure you’re handling your equipment carefully and clearly marking ropes that can be a trip hazard with colored fly tape. Another good way of ensuring safety around your campsite is putting things away once you’re done using them. A cluttered camping area has plenty of potential for small accidents that can cause a lot of grief.
If you’re planning on building camp fires for warmth, enjoyment or cooking, be smart, wary and safe. Find out if there are any restrictions for the time of year or dryness in the region – many areas don’t permit fires when there has been a recent dry spell and the spread of fires is a concern. Avoid building fires on a windy day, as the breeze can transport smouldering ashes and start them burning elsewhere.
If you know it’s safe to build a fire and it’s not a windy day, do make sure you have a proper fire pit dug out and ringed with stones. Containing and controlling your flame is extremely important. Always have a bucket of water handy, as fires can get out of control very quickly – and you’ll need to extinguish your fire properly before turning in. Letting a fire die down unsupervised is asking for trouble.
Wilderness camping can be one that holds a lot of risk for injuries. Accidents are never expected to happen but even the most cautious camper can end up in an emergency situation and needing quick help.
First aid courses can provide you with the know-how to deal with concussion or severe cuts, and the amount of time it takes from your schedule usually isn’t more than a weekend. The advantages to being able to provide quick, proper emergency care out in the woods, where qualified help and sometimes hospital resources aren’t available, is a must for anyone planning a camping trip.
While there are a lot of things you can do to keep your camping trip safe and pleasant for everyone, staying aware of potential hazards can mean the difference between needing stitches and bringing back good memories.
Learning good first aid skills and getting into the good habit of keeping your campsite clean and safe is never a wasted effort. No one wants to have accidents or emergency situations happen and avoiding them is the best prevention of all.
Article Source: ABC Article Directory
John Edmond runs and writes regularly for Living And Camping Outdoors where you can find more articles on mountain safety and outdoor survival. Also go to Well Spoken Audio for a range of entertaining audiobooks on camping and much more.

Ignatius Piazza has stated that the Second Amendment is clear. It says, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
After checking on the various meanings of Militia, arms, infringed and so on, it seems like he is right! The problem has never been that decent citizens have guns, but always that a criminal or repressive element has them. So what is the solution? Banning guns hasn’t worked, as criminals get them and do harm in any case.
The solution is that put forward by Dr. Ignatius Piazza and Front Sight Firearms Training Institute: Train up the ethical and decent citizens to know what they are doing, so they can protect themselves.
These are very serious questions, and the reader is encouraged to do his or her own study of the issues. One of the issues is the understandable – but not very helpful – fear that many people have of weapons, especially firearms. Dr. Ignatius Piazza has studied this problem since he had his own experience with a drive-by shooting in his neighborhood. He was uninjured, but realized that his own knowledge of firearms was lacking, even thought he’d been a gun owner for years, and even practiced at a local range.
But the problem of being prepared and really knowing how to protect himself and his home was one he wasn’t about to give up on. He spent the next few years studying and practicing, and won some of the top awards for firearms use. During this time he realized that others needed to know this as well. Any look at current events will show that criminals have weapons, and even though untrained and often incompetent with them, they do a lot of harm. The solution is the one the Founding Fathers of our nation came up with: a well regulated Militia.
The meaning of those words became clear to Dr. Ignatius Piazza: ethical citizens needed to be trained and skilled in defending themselves. Thus Front Sight Firearms Training Institute was founded.
The training at Front Sight Firearms Training Institute includes firearms training, of course, with practice so that the students can fire their guns with accuracy. It also includes firearms safety, from how to store weapons, to how to draw them from a holster. Other aspects of safety are available as well, with training in being aware of their surroundings available for kids, Internet safety for teenagers, basics of martial arts for anyone, etc.
Because of the importance of this set of skills, there is also a thorough discussion on the ethical use of firearms. This is a course that criminals will never take! This is the difference between someone who has trained at Front Sight Firearms Training Institute and someone who has armed themselves simply with intent to harm. The graduate knows how to use his or her firearm, and what it will and will not do, and they have already examined the issue of what they themselves will and will not do with it. This gives a peace of mind about safety and protection for themselves and their family.
It allows for the security envisioned by the Founding Fathers over 200 years ago.
Article Source: ABC Article Directory
For info regarding Ignatius Piazza or Front Sight, feel free to click on this Ignatius Piazza Article in Handvapen Guiden or click on Ignatius Piazza’s page on the Front Sight Website.
Article Submission by Jayden Adams – Studio98.

Yes, it’s almost that time of year again: the holidays. Reindeer, Santa, fruitcakes, stockings, visions of sugar plumbs dancing in our heads, and, of course, Christmas lights. Adding a sense of essence to a neighborhood house, Christmas lights are hung from chimneys, and roof eaves, with cheer. But, remember, danger soon could appear.
In order to keep your holidays merry, keep these Christmas light safety tips in mind:
Watch for Ice: Whether you are climbing on a roof or looking for a place to set your ladder, ice is your enemy. Sometimes it’s obvious, with a sidewalk or a rooftop being visibly slick, and sometimes it is black ice, ice you don’t really notice until it’s too late. Before you step anywhere or set a ladder down, be sure there is no ice in the vicinity. Check suspicious areas closely and lay down salt or sand when warranted. It’s better to be safe than falling.
Check lights and unravel them on ground level: After sitting in your basement or attic for nearly a year, Christmas lights probably aren’t in the best shape. Some lights are loose, some are burnt out, and some cords are tangled in a tight, but oddly well done, sailor’s knot. Don’t wait till you standing on top of a ladder to learn your lights need some work. Because getting them “roof top ready” can take some time, unravel and check them on ground level.
Make sure they are approved for outdoor use: There are indoor lights, there are outdoor lights, and then there are the switch hitters: lights that do both. Before hanging lights up outside, make sure they are suitable for the outdoors (if they are, it will say on the box). It’s also important to make sure the lights were checked by a legitimate testing laboratory, such as UL. Look for seals of approval before you approve them for your house.
The Smaller the Better: There was a time when all holiday lights were made of big, robust bulbs. Nowadays, many lights are much smaller. Some people prefer smaller lights because they look better, allow more variety, and are easier to hang, but they are also safer. The larger lights have a tendency to get much hotter, increasing the chances for a fire or a singed Christmas tree. For this reason, use smaller lights. They tend to be on their best behavior.
Turn them off when you go to bed or leave: Christmas lights surely add something to your neighborhood: glowing from afar, they make the holidays luminous. Still, any kind of lights have the potential for danger. Even if you want to keep them on from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day, they need to be turned off when you aren’t around. If you leave, shut them down and when you go to bed, pull the plug. If you have a tendency to forget, get a timer that turns them off automatically. Don’t worry about turning off the Christmas lights and concentrate on your holiday shopping.
Jennifer Jordan is the senior editor for http://www.etodoors.com. Someone who changes her mind every five minutes, her house is in a perpetual state of home improvement.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

One of the interesting activities your entire family can be involved in, around the campfire, in the evening is trying out fun camp cooking recipes. Not only will this provide an opportunity for your family to bond together, but you will also relish the delicious food made as a result of this activity.
The best part about camp cooking recipes is that you can be as innovative as you like and can use tasty ingredients to prepare some simple dishes. You can cook some yummy dishes like s’mores, or even make a dessert without using any camp cooking equipment.
The best time to try out these fun recipes during your family camping trip is when you crave for something sweet, especially after dinner and that too around the campfire. Let us share with you some great camp cooking recipes that are a step-up on the traditional desserts at the campfire.
- Pour some chocolate syrup or put a chocolate bar broken up into pieces, in a cup you can make yourself, out of aluminium foil. Now place this cup near the fire so that the chocolate melts completely.
- Fill a plastic bag or place on a plate some graham crackers that you have crushed.
- Toast some marshmallows the way you usually do.
- Dip these marshmallows into the melted chocolate and then roll them into the graham crackers.
This is a yummy recipe that the kids especially enjoy and the best part is that it is not even the least bit time consuming. You can keep experimenting with these campfire treat of s’mores, by making slight modifications every time, like melting caramel chocolate bars or even melting chocolate bars with nuts in them.
If you find this too messy a way, you can even opt for another way to create the s’more by putting the chocolate bars, the marshmallows and the graham crackers together in an aluminium foil. Wrap this package up and cook over your campfire for just a minute and upon opening the foil, ‘voila’- a lip-smacking, finger- licking treat.
Fun camp cooking recipes need not necessarily be those of desserts. You can play on any of your recipes by altering your fun foods like sloppy joes, a bit. Other camp recipes include something like tacos in a bag. All you need to do is take some plain tortilla chips in a bag and crush it up. Now you can add other ingredients like salsa, cheese and lettuce. Mix well and have it straight out of the bag for maximum fun.
Article Source: ABC Article Directory
Abhishek is a Camping freak! Visit his website www.Camping-Guru.com and download his FREE Camping Report “Camping With The Family: How To Have A Safe, Fun, And Inexpensive Vacation” and learn some amazing Camping tips and tricks for FREE. Learn how to have the perfect vacation on a shoe-string budget. But hurry, only limited Free copies available ! www.Camping-Guru.com