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Carbon
monoxide poisoning leads to hundreds of deaths each year. Every
year hundreds of people fall victim to this silent killer--silent
because it can’t be detected by smell, or sight, or taste.
More states are developing laws to mandate that each new home is
built with a carbon monoxide detector, but for older homes or to
increase your family’s safety, it is easy and affordable to
install these detectors to ensure your home safety.
Many of these devices can plug directly into any
outlet and signal the presence of carbons by sounding an alarm.
Should there be any electrical trouble in your home, quite a few
of these detectors have a built in battery. Other types operate
strictly on battery power and the batteries should be changed
often. To provide added fire safety, some models include a smoke
detector as well. While your local home store may offer a few
products that can detect smoke or carbon in the air, it is worthwhile
to research your options on the internet. There are many products
available online that may be better suited to your family’s
needs and budget. These alarms are made by well-respected companies,
such as Kidde, and their products can be purchased through major
online retailers who are known for protecting their customer’s
financial information.
If you are living in a new home, it may have been
built with a fire sprinkler system that offers invaluable protection
for your family and belongings in the event of fire. Older homes
can be outfitted with a sprinkler system but the cost is quite
high. At a minimum, all homes should contain the basics in fire
safety equipment. These include a fire extinguisher in all rooms
where there is a risk of flames such as the kitchen, garage or
even the office. For homes with more than one level, it is a good
idea to purchase a safety ladder so that you can escape from fire
on the upper floors. Take the time to develop a fire safety plan
with your family including what to do if the alarms sound and
a place to meet outside if you have to escape from a burning house.
Having a meeting place helps firefighters know that everyone has
gotten out safely.
We all have a responsibility to ensure the safety
of our home and family. Educate your family about what to do in
the event of an emergency and invest in the tools that will help
them stay safe. Take the time to practice fire safety drills and
ensure all your alarms have working batteries.
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