Cooperative Living May 2020 - 22

Better Home Safety
SafetySense | Story courtesy of Family Features
Five Tips for
Grills start
over 10,000 home
fires each year.
- National Fire
Protection
Association
A
s people become more active
during the warmer months,
keeping home safety top of
mind can sometimes go by the wayside.
However, when it comes to fire and
carbon monoxide safety, you can never
be too prepared.
Whether you are just beginning to
take a stronger safety-first approach or
looking to upgrade existing home safety
equipment, keep these tips in mind as
you spruce up your home for the season.
CHECK THE ALARM
It's a good idea to review your safety
equipment and ensure everything is in
good working order at least a couple
times each year. For example, every type
of smoke alarm must be completely
replaced every 10 years whether it's
hardwired into your home or operates
on a battery. You can also use this time
to double-check the gauge on your fire
extinguishers, replace batteries in
flashlights, test security systems and
replenish first-aid kits.
INSPECT OUTDOOR AREAS
Set aside time to evaluate any damage
or potential hazards as the weather
warms. For example, fallen tree branches
and leaves can become trapped in gutters
and pose a fire hazard. Shutters and
fences can also weaken over time. To
make sure they're in good working
20 | Cooperative Living | May 2020
condition, check that they are securely
fastened.
TAP SMART TECHNOLOGY
According to the National Fire
Protection Association, 40 years ago
people had an average of 17 minutes
to escape a home fire, but today the
average has decreased to about 3 minutes
due to synthetic materials used in
modern-day home furnishings. To get
the earliest warning of a home fire,
install wire-free, interconnected batterypowered
combination smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms. When one alarm
senses a hazard, all alarms throughout
the home sound in unison. Devices like
Kidde's Wire-Free Interconnected Alarms
offer simple setup and operate without
the hassle of hardwiring or a Wi-Fi
connection.
CHECK APPLIANCES
While going through your spring
home safety checklist, take time to check
your appliances or schedule an annual
maintenance check for your stove, oven,
heating system and more. According
to the American Red Cross, dryers are
responsible for approximately nine
out of every 10 appliance fires. These
common household appliances can collect
dust, lint and other particles, which
are potential fire hazards and can cause
carbon monoxide leaks.
KEEP OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
IN MIND
Cooking on grills is a popular pastime,
but thousands of people are injured every
year while using them. In fact, according
to the National Fire Protection Association,
grills start over 10,000 home fires each
year. Now is a good time to get your home's
grilling area in tip-top shape. Keep a 3-foot
safety zone around hot grills for children
and pets, and have a multipurpose home
fire extinguisher nearby as fires can occur
unexpectedly. Propane and charcoal grills
both put out carbon monoxide as a
byproduct, so be sure to keep your grill
at least 10 feet from the home and ensure
it is positioned away from windows,
doors, vents and ductwork. ■
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Cooperative Living May 2020

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