With the kids home for a few months of carefree living, remember that fire doesn’t take a summer vacation.
Here are five tips to keep your entire family safe from fire and carbon monoxide tragedy this summer:
• Help children understand how to escape a fire. Teach them what smoke and CO alarms sound like. Prepare and practice an escape plan that sets out two routes from every room and identifies an outside meeting place.
• Never take down a smoke alarm or remove batteries. To deal with false alarms, install models that have a “hush” button that lets you silence alarms temporarily while you clear the air. Photoelectric smoke alarms are also excellent for areas near a kitchen.
• Alarms wear out. Whether battery operated or hardwired right into your home’s electrical system, replace all smoke alarms over 10 years old and CO alarms over 5-7 years old.
• Every month, push the “test” button and lightly vacuum the face of each alarm to remove dust, pet dander and other obstructions. Always keep batteries fresh.
• Dangerous carbon monoxide from your wood or gas fireplace, range, or other gas-fuelled appliances needs to vent outdoors. Ensure debris and outdoor fixtures do not clog or obstruct the vents and always install at least one CO alarm outside sleeping areas.
