How To Prevent A Home Fire 101

House fires are serious business. According to Ready.gov, a fire can become life-threatening in just two minutes; and in five minutes, a home can be engulfed in flames. Oct. 4-10 is Fire Prevention Week, which means it's a great time to learn how to prevent home fires and what to do if they occur.

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Install smoke alarms on every level of your home.

The American Red Cross recommends installing smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside all bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Smoke alarms should be tested every month to ensure they're in proper working order, and smoke alarm alkaline batteries should be replaced at least once a year.

A working smoke alarm can give an early warning to you and your loved ones about a fire. Kidde makes several trusted smoke alarms that also feature built-in carbon monoxide detection. Its battery-operated voice-alarm model announces the hazard type detected ("Fire" or "Warning: carbon monoxide"). The unit warns when the battery is low by announcing "low battery," initiating an alarm chirp and activating a flashing red LED. The battery door won't close unless the batteries are properly installed.

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With the Ring Alarm Security Kit, you can place a Ring Alarm Smoke & CO Listener (sold separately) near each of your existing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to get real-time mobile notifications when they sound their sirens. When the Smoke & CO Listener detects the sound of a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm, it will also trigger the Ring Alarm siren to sound.

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There's even the option to add 24/7 professional monitoring** to your home with a Ring Protect Plus subscription*. If you have Ring Protect Plus and enroll in professional monitoring and your Alarm Smoke & CO Listener hears your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm sound, it sends a signal to the monitoring center. The monitoring center will notify your emergency contacts and request help from your local fire department when you need it most.

**Ring does not own its own professional monitoring center but works with a leader in the industry to provide this service.

*Ring Protect Plus is required to get professional monitoring. Ring Alarm professional monitoring service is available only within the U.S. (all 50 states, but not U.S. territories) and in Canada (excluding Quebec).

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Build Your Ring Of Security With These Alarm Kits

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Use caution in the kitchen.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are the No. 1 cause of home fires and fire injuries. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. That's why the NFPA recommends the following:

• Don't use a stove or stovetop if you're sleepy or have consumed alcohol.
• Never leave the kitchen while you have have food frying, grilling, boiling or broiling.
• Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you do have a fire, put the lid on the pan and turn off the burner.
• If you're simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly to ensure it's not smoking or on fire.
• Use a timer so you don't forget you have something cooking that needs attention.
• Keep your stovetop clutter-free, as oven mitts, wood utensils, packaging, towels and other items can easily catch fire. Avoid wearing loose clothing or having dangling sleeves near an open flame.

Some homeowners may want to consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system, which may help to quickly extinguish any type of cooking fire.

The American Red Cross recommends that homeowners consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen. If you do purchase a fire extinguisher, make sure to contact your local fire department for information on proper use and maintenance of the device.

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Be smart when it comes to electrical wiring.

A little common sense can go a long way when it comes to preventing electrical fires. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends the following:

• Have electrical work done only by a qualified electrician.
• Don't overload extension cords or wall outlets, and only use extension cords temporarily.
• Never use an extension cord with a heat-producing appliance such as a space heater, coffee maker or microwave.
• Plug only one heat-producing appliance directly into a wall outlet at a time.
• Replace any cracked or damaged electrical cords. Don't try to repair them.

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Have your chimney inspected annually.

If you have a fireplace, chimney maintenance is mandatory. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, chimneys, fireplaces and vents should be inspected at least once a year to ensure that cleaning and repairs aren't needed. Regular inspections by a professional are key to helping prevent potentially deadly chimney fires.

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Clean dryer vents.

Failure to clean the dryer is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires, according to the USFA. That's why you should clean lint filters every time you use your dryer, and have your dryer vent ductwork cleaned annually.

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Have a home fire escape plan.

While preventing a home fire is the ultimate goal, you should also have an escape plan in place in case of emergency. The American Red Cross recommends that every family map out a fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year. In the event of a fire, you need to get out, stay out and call for help.

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Learn More About Staying Safe And Fire Prevention Week!

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Sources:
CSIA.org: Chimney Safety FAQs
NFPA.org: Cooking Fire Prevention
Ready.gov: Home Fires
Redcross.org: Cooking Fires
Redcross.org: Home Fire Safety
USFA: Clothes Dryer Fire Safety
USFA: Electrical And Appliance Fire Safety

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