Functional Friday: Preparedness Project - Smoke Detectors & Fire Safety

September is Emergency Preparedness Month! Want an easy and simple step toward preparing for an emergency? Make sure your home is outfitted with proper smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The upcoming months may include turning on the heat, using the fireplace, decorating with candles and Christmas tree lights, holiday cooking – all potential fire hazards.

Week-end Preparedness Project Pick one (or pick them all)   Time: Cost: (depending on what you have already) Difficulty:  ☐  Inventory your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in your house.  ☐  Make sure that you have enough and they’re in the correct locations.  ☐  Identify if any need replaced.  ☐  Write down the type and number of batteries each one takes.  ☐  This weekend, visit your hardware store and purchase replacement or new detectors.  ☐  Purchase enough replacement batteries for each device.  ☐  Visit the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website for guidance

Want to do more?

Plan and practice using various escape routes, even out the window. This is a great way to identify if you need an emergency ladder.

Buy a fire extinguisher. Rogue candles, cooking gone wrong, or an electrical fire could be contained long enough to escape with the help of proper fire extinguishers.

Think of how you can store some emergency supplies away from your home in the event of fire: extra bag in the detached garage, a drawer at work, something at a neighbor’s house.