Summer Safety Checklist:
(NC)—Although furnaces are turned off and most of us have migrated to outdoor balconies or decks, fire never takes a summer vacation. Follow these seven tips to avoid tragedy:
1. Help children understand how to escape a fire, without scaring them. Teach them what smoke and CO alarms sound like, and, prepare and practice an Escape Plan that sets out two routes from every room in your home and identifies an outside meeting place.
2. Never take down a smoke alarm or remove batteries. To deal with false alarms caused by cooking or steam, install alarms that have a “Hush” button that lets you silence false alarms temporarily while you clear the air. And make sure you install an alarm that is the one best-suited for each location in your home.
3. There are two types of smoke-sensing technology: Ionization and Photoelectric. Fire experts recommend installing both types of smoke alarms in order to maximize protection from flaming and smoldering fires.These technologies are sold individually or in a dual-sensor smoke alarm that combines both technologies.
4. Alarms wear out! Whether they are battery operated OR hardwired right into your home's electrical system, you must replace ALL smoke alarms over 10 years old and CO alarms over 5-7 years old.
5. Every month, push the “Test” button and lightly vacuum the face of each alarm to remove dust, pet dander and other obstructions. Always keep fresh batteries in your alarms.
6. Dangerous CO from your fireplace, range, or other gas-fueled appliances needs to vent outdoors. Ensure debris and outdoor fixtures do not clog or obstruct the vents.
7. Never leave burning candles unattended, and, be sure to complete a thorough barbecue check-up prior to the grilling season.
More family safety tips can be found on the www.SafeAtHome.ca web site.
- News Canada