Fire is a deadly threat to every household. Fire can strike without warning. There were over 380,000 residential fires in 2005 in the U.S. resulting in over 16,000 injuries and deaths combined according to the National Fire Protection Association. We must all be prepared by using fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and escape ladders for fire protection.
Smoke detectors offer warning before a fire gets out of hand. The best and most effective way to alert your family in the event of a fire is to use smoke detectors. They can alert you and your loved ones in the early stages of a fire which can give the needed time to take action against the fire or escape. The more smoke alarms you have installed in your home, the better your chances are that you will be alerted to a fire in progress.
A fire extinguisher is a tool to combat small, contained fires. Strategically positioning fire extinguishers throughout your home will greatly increase the chances of keeping a small fire from getting out of control and causing major damage, injury or even death.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) categorizes fire extinguishers. The ratings determine what size and type of fire that an extinguisher should be used on. Fires are classified under three categories A,B, or C. “A” type fires are primarily wood, paper and fabric fires. Type “B” fires consist of flammable liquids or oils. Lastly, “C” fire extinguishers are for electrical fires.
The number preceding the A, B, or C rating determines the size fire the extinguisher has been tested to be effective on. For example, a 10-B:C fire extinguisher theoretically will extinguish a 25 foot square fire of either flammable liquid or energized electrical origin. A 5-B:C extinguisher could handle a 12.5 ft square flammable liquid or electrical fire.
Proper preparation of your home by the use of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors as well as having well thought out escape plan and rehearsing it and having each family member knowing what to do can help to save your home and family.Tragedies caused by fire can be prevented!
Most guidelines recommend installing at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Also, place an emergency escape ladder in each second or third level bedroom of your home.Installing fire extinguishers in and easily accessible location on each floor is a wise move. Homeowners with large residences may want to consider multiple fire extinguishers on each level
For most homes the minimum recommended number of fire safety devices is one smoke detector and one fire extinguisher on every level. However, check your local building code for detailed smoke alarm and CO detector requirements.
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