This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Its late at night, and you’re asleep in your bed. Your children fell asleep hours ago, and the house is completely quiet. Suddenly, the smoke detector goes off! You wake up, and realize that smoke is pouring into your room under your bedroom door! What should you do? Are your children able to escape on their own? Should you open the door and try to wake them up?

The last time that you want to be thinking about fire safety is during an emergency. It’s highly recommended that you teach your children about fire safety, as well as what to do in the event of a fire. However, did you know that fire safety can be fun? Here are four activities to help teach your children about what to do during a fire!

1. Stay Outside!
There are far too many cases of a child dying because they ventured back into a building to try to save a cherished stuffed animal, rescue a beloved family pet or to search for an adult. Be sure to teach your child the phrase: “Out means out!” You can even make up a rhyme or short song to help them remember this phrase. Once your child is outside of a burning building, they should never try to go back inside. Make this an integral part of your child’s fire safety training!

2. Stop, Drop and Roll
The phrase “Stop, Drop and Roll” has been repeated to children for years, but you can also make it into a fun activity! Cut red construction paper into small pieces, and apply double-stick tape to both sides of the paper. Stick the red paper pieces onto your child’s clothing, leaving one of the tape pieces facing out. Now, tell them to “Stop, Drop and Roll” until all of the red paper pieces have come off of their clothing!

3. Finding the Way Outside
In a dark house filled with smoke, its easy for a child to become too scared to venture outside to safety. It’s important to teach your children how to escape from the house even if they can’t see. A great (and fun) way to do this is to set up a short obstacle course for your child, which they must navigate while blindfolded! If they are able to successfully navigate to the door (with supervision), reward them with a treat, a “treasure” or other goodies.

4. Planning a Meeting Place
It’s important for you to arrange a “rendezvous” point outside your home where all your family members will meet in the event of a fire. The meeting spot should be far enough away from the house to be safe, but easy to find even in the dark. Teach your children to run outside to this spot, and wait there until an adult arrives. This activity should be repeated during monthly family fire drills.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

It’s late at night, and you’re asleep in bed. Suddenly, you hear a loud alarm go off – the smoke alarm! Waking up, you realize that your bedroom is beginning to fill with smoke pouring in from the lower floor of your home. What should you do?

Each year, thousands of homes are destroyed in house fires. However, it’s a fact that many of the people that die in house fires each year could have escaped safely, if they had a fire escape plan. Here are a few tips on how you can survive a house fire.

Tip 1 – Stay Calm.
The most important thing to remember during a house fire is – Don’t Panic! Keeping calm will allow you to think clearly, and will greatly improve your chances of survival.

Tip 2 – Check Your Doorknob.
If you are in a room with a closed door, lightly tap the doorknob to see if you detect heat. If your doorknob is hot, don’t open the door! A hot doorknob could mean that the room or corridor on the other side of that doorknob has already become enveloped in flames. If possible, try to secure another escape route from your home.

Tip 3 – Stay Low.
A large percentage of the people that die in house fires each year actually die from smoke inhalation. To keep your lungs clear – stay low to the ground! Smoke will collect closer to the ceiling first. If you can, use a damp cloth to cover your nose and mouth, since this will also help minimize the amount of smoke you inhale.

Tip 4 – Call 911.
IMMEDIATELY after you detect smoke, call 911! If you wait too long, the damage to your home could prevent you from having access to your landline phone.

Tip 5 – Stop, Drop and Roll.
If any portion of your clothing or hair catches on fire, remember to STOP, DROP and ROLL. This is the best way to put out fire! Never run in an attempt to reach a sink or bathtub, since this could only cause more of your clothing or hair to catch fire.

Tip 6 – Plan Ahead.
The best thing that you can do to help improve your chances of surviving a house fire is to plan ahead. Establish a fire safety plan with your family, as well as a designated meeting spot. Make sure everyone knows the fastest way to escape from every floor, including basements and attics. If necessary, draw up a list of fire safety tips that can be posted in visible areas of your home.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Imagine that you’re on a beach vacation with your family. You slide into a beach chair, relaxing under the warmth of a tropical sun. Suddenly, you receive a frantic phone call from one of your neighbors. When she calms down, she is able to speak clearly.

“There was an electrical fire! Your house is burning!”

By the time you quickly gather up your family and return home, there’s nothing left. The structure of your house is still smoking, bearing char-marks that signify an intense, high-heat fire. All of your furniture, personal belongings, electronic equipment and other items – burned beyond recognition.

The fictional scenario described above is unlikely, but it does highlight the importance of being prepared for a catastrophic event in your home. For example, preparing for a house fire could involve: purchasing a fire-proof safe for important documents, installing smoke alarms, or having a smoke-detecting monitored home security system. However, if you have homeowner’s insurance, you may be able to have your insurance company cover the cost of replacing what you lose in a disaster. This process requires you to be organized, and to possibly have entered your belongings into a home inventory software program.

What is Home Inventory Software?

Home inventory software is a program that will allow you to take inventory of all of the important items in your home. Certain types of programs have different features, which can even be used to determine the value of each item in your home. Some insurance companies often have a specific amount of coverage available for certain “types” of belongings, such as computer equipment.

Included Features

Depending in the program that you use, there are several different functions that you can assign to your home inventory software. Some of the potentially included features are:

Room Assignments
Some home inventory programs allow you to assign each belonging to a specific room. In the midst of a crisis, it’s easy to forget to account for many items. This feature can also be used in a burglary, in order to check your inventory list against the items that you believe to be missing.

Secure Storage
Home inventory software may also allow you to store your inventory information on a secure server in a remote location. This means that even if your computer becomes damaged or destroyed, you will still have access to your inventory information. This feature can be useful when attempting to make a claim for items destroyed in a catastrophic event.

Value Estimation
Some home inventory software programs allow you to enter an approximate value for each item that you list in the program, while other programs do this automatically. This allows you to gain a general estimate of the value of the items that are contained within your home, which is also useful for insurance purposes.

Maintenance Schedule
Apart from allowing you to inventory the items in your home, inventory programs may also have a feature that alerts you when one of your listed items is scheduled to receive maintenance.

Update Capability
If you acquire a new expensive item for your home, most home inventory software programs will allow you to update your home inventory to list the new item.

Photo Integration
Your home inventory software may also allow you to store photographs of specific items or rooms. This feature can be extremely useful, as you can provide photographic proof to your insurance company of an item being damaged or destroyed.

Insurance Reporting
Depending on the type of home inventory software that you use, you may be able to submit information directly from the inventory program to your insurance company. Some insurance companies will also require you to file a report per item submitted, such as a damage report, a police report or photographs.

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Practicing good fire safety can help protect your home and family from a potentially devastating house fire. It can also aid in preventing the members of your household (especially small children) from sustaining a fire-related injury. However, not everyone is aware of how to exercise proper fire safety. Here are five of the most important fire safety tips, which can help to protect you and your family against fire-related accidents.

Maintain Your Smoke Detector
One of the best things you can do to help prevent a potentially devastating fire in your home is to keep your smoke detector maintained. Be sure to change the batteries in your smoke detector as-needed, and test your smoke detector’s alarm on a monthly basis. If your home doesn’t have a smoke detector, you can read this short guide on “How to Choose a Smoke Detector“, which will help you decide which type of smoke detector is best for your home.

Practice Proper Candle Safety
Each year, it’s estimated that around 190 people are killed by candle-related fires, while another 1,500 are injured. [1] When burning a candle in your home, you need to be aware of the proper safety procedures in order to burn candles safely. Some important tips to keep in mind for candle safety are:

• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• If you have pets, it’s usually best to avoid burning candles.
• Always burn a candle on a fire-proof surface or base.
• Be sure that a burning candle is placed in a non-moving, secure location.
• Never place a burning candle near flammable objects or decorations.
• Only use high-quality glass candle holders, since some glass holders can shatter when exposed to heat.

Be Aware of How to Treat a Burn
If you have small children, it may be inevitable that you may need to treat a burn. In order to be prepared, it’s important to familiarize yourself with what action to take with a burn. Immediately after you have discovered the burn, place the part of the body that was burned under cool running water (not cold!), or fully immerse it in a container full of cool water for approximately fifteen minutes. Never use butter on a burn, since this can actually result in additional skin damage.

Monitor Your Space Heaters
Space heaters account for a noticeable percentage of house fires reported each year. If you have a space heater, be sure that it is placed in an area that is at least three feet away from any type of material that could be flammable. It’s also highly recommended that you turn off all space heaters in your home when you go to bed, or when you leave for the day.

Source:

[1] http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/12/09/earlyshow/contributors/tracysmith/main660125.shtml

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

A house fire can be one of the most devastating events for any homeowner. However, there are many things that you can do to help prevent catastrophic damage from a house fire. To keep your family safe, it’s best if you are familiar with these fire safety tips. If you have young children, be sure that they are thoroughly educated in fire safety procedures.

Fire Safety Tips: 1. Don’t Overload Outlets
One of the more common mistakes that many homeowners make is to overload electrical outlets. Each outlet is only designed to handle a specific power load, and may malfunction if not used properly. If you require more power at a specific outlet, you have two options. You may either use a power strip with a surge protector, or hire a licensed electrician to increase the power output of your outlet.

Fire Safety Tips: 2. Purchase a Fire Extinguisher
In case of a fire, it’s best if you have at least one fire extinguisher in your home. This fire extinguisher should be placed in an easily accessible area, where it won’t be obstructed in case of an emergency. One of the most effective ways to keep your fire extinguisher is to use a wall mount. By mounting your fire extinguisher on the wall, you are making it easily available in case of a fire.

Fire Safety Tips: 3. Install a Smoke Detector
One of the most important things that you can do for your family’s safety is to install a smoke detector. There are many different types of smoke detectors available, some of which are designed to catch even trace amounts of smoke. Depending on your family’s needs, you will want to choose carefully. You can use this Guide to Choosing a Smoke Detector to help you decide which type of smoke detector is right for your home.

Fire Safety Tips: 4. Use Your Fireplace Responsibly
Misuse of fireplaces is another common cause of many house fires. If your home has a frequently used fireplace, be sure that you are following the proper safety procedures. Though a lot of fire safety involves common sense, it is always better to do your research about how to use your fireplace safely. You may use this Guide to Fireplace Safety to gain a more comprehensive understanding of fireplace safety procedures.

Fire Safety Tips: 5. Check Electrical Cords
In order to avoid a potentially dangerous fire hazard, it’s highly recommended that you closely monitor the electrical cords of your household appliances. Frayed cord, exposed or damaged wire may all contribute to turning your electrical appliances into a fire hazard. If you discover that some of your electrical cords have been damaged, you have three options. You may either replace the appliance, replace the electrical cord or repair the damage (if possible) with electrical tape.

Fire Safety Tips: 6. Never Leave Candles Burning Unattended
Burning scented candles has been a popular way to create a warm ambiance of comfort in many homes. However, burning candles can present a fire hazard if allowed to burn unattended. When burning candles, always be sure that they are placed in an open area, free of any overhanging objects. Do not allow pets or small children to be in the vicinity of a burning candle.

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During the cold winter months, having a fireplace is a wonderful way to stay warm and cozy inside your home. However, it’s essential that you’re familiar with some general safety tips to help you to practice proper safety procedures around your fireplace. Even though a fireplace is a great addition to any home, it can also present an extreme fire hazard if not handled responsibly.

Only Burn Dry, Seasoned Wood.
In order to practice good fireplace safety, it’s important that you only burn dry wood. Burning green wood can produce a lot of smoke, and may also promote to dangerous creosote buildup in your chimney. Chimney buildup is the number one cause of chimney fires, so it’s best to avoid burning green wood at all costs.

Do not Hang Decorations Over the Fireplace.
Before starting a fire, it’s important to make sure that all boughs, ribbons, stockings and other decorations are removed from above the fireplace. Not all fireplaces are constructed with a mantle designed for holding decorations, and as such, may present a fire hazard. If you’re unsure about the construction of your chimney, you can always contact your local fire marshal.

Keep Your Fireplace Clean.
After every fire, thoroughly clean the fireplace of any remaining ashes, soot and embers. Be sure to dispose of any ashes appropriately, in an area where they will not be in danger of starting a fire. However, to further increase the safety of your fireplace, you can also have your chimney and fireplace cleaned on a yearly basis by a certified chimney specialist. This not only helps to reduce the danger of a chimney fire, but it also helps to keep your fireplace safe for your family as well.

Keep Hazardous Items Out of the Fireplace.
In order to avoid a dangerous situation, it’s highly recommended that you do not burn any plastics, chemicals, colored paper (including wrapping paper), flammable liquids, or other potentially hazardous materials in your fireplace. Some of these items may produce large, toxic flames that emit harmful gases into the air. In addition to this, burning an excess of paper in your fireplace can contribute to chimney fires.

Store Firewood Away from the Fireplace.
If you keep extra firewood in close proximity to your fireplace, this may present a fire hazard. Keep any extra firewood a safe distance away from the opening of the fireplace, and never stack firewood directly against the outer edge of the fireplace. If you wish, you may purchase or construct a “wood box”, in which you can store any extra firewood.

Educate Your Children About Fire Safety.
If you live in a home with small children, a very important part of keeping your family safe involves talking to your children about fireplace safety. This is especially important in young children, who need to be taught how to responsibly handle having a fireplace in your home. Explain to your children that they are not to go near the fireplace unless supervised by an adult, and make it clear that they should not burn household objects in the fireplace.

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As a general estimation, a person will die in a house fire every three hours in the United States. In the year 2008 alone, there were over 403,000 house fires, which resulted in $8,550,000,000 in total damages. House fires can be an extremely catastrophic event for any homeowner, especially if your home insurance policy doesn’t cover certain types of fire damage. To protect your safety, as well as prevent fire damage in your home, it’s important to install high quality home smoke detectors.

How Do Home Smoke Detectors Work?

There are three different methods that a home smoke detector may use in order to detect a fire in your home.

Photoelectric Smoke Detectors
In a photoelectric smoke detector, the detector functions by seeing when a photoelectric beam of light in the device is blocked. This blockage occurs during a house fire, when smoke often first collects on the ceiling. However, the more sophisticated photoelectric devices will also be triggered to sound their alarm when the particles in the photoelectric light beam are scattered by a small volume of smoke. This diffusion of light will trigger the alarm on the smoke detector.

Ionization Smoke Detectors
An ionization smoke detector is considerably less expensive than a photoelectric smoke detector, but it does have a higher rate of “false” alarms. An ionization smoke detector has the ability to detect particles of smoke that are too small or too far dispersed to be seen with the naked eye. Ionization smoke detectors contain a very small amount of americanium 241, a radioactive synthetic element. The alpha radiation that is emitted from the americanium passes through a tiny ionization chamber, allowing for a small current to form between two electrodes. When smoke enters the ionization chamber, it absorbs the alpha particles in the chamber, which subsequently disrupts the current. This then sets off the smoke alarm. Since the element of americanium has a half-life of 432 years, it will not have to be replaced during the life of the smoke detector. It should be clarified that the radiation emitted from the smoke detector is alpha radiation, as opposed to harmful beta or gamma radiation.

Air-Sampling Smoke Detector
An air-sampling smoke detector is also able to detect particles of smoke that are invisible to the naked eye, much like an ionization smoke detector. However, air-sampling smoke detectors are most commonly aspirating smoke detectors, also called ASD’s. An ASD consists of a central unit that circulates air through a small network of pipes in order to detect any smoke in the air. A small nephelometer in the smoke detector is able to discern if there are any traces of smoke particles in the air. Air-Sampling smoke detectors are usually used in environments that require a high sensitivity of smoke detection, such as in labs, clean rooms and warehouses that contain valuable goods.

Which Home Smoke Detectors Are The “Best”?

Depending on your needs, you need to decide which home smoke detectors are best for you. Due to the high sensitivity of ionization and air-sampling smoke detectors, these types of detectors are usually not practical for use in residential homes. Optical, or photoelectric smoke detectors, are sometimes called “toast-proof” smoke detectors, since they are not prone to being triggered because of smoke from cooking food indoors. Optical smoke detectors are better for detecting smouldering, slow-burning fires (such as electrical fires in between walls), while air-sampling or ionization smoke detectors will have a faster detection rate for hot, fast-burning fires (such as a fire caused by arson, or with the use of a propellant).

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