Fire Safety Tips

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Home Safety Council research shows that fire is the third leading cause of injury-related death within the home, yet only 20 percent of homes regularly test their smoke alarms and just 36 percent of American families have discussed home fire safety and have an escape plan.1 Research reveals that most people don’t take home fire safety and home fire prevention as seriously as they should, and fail to appreciate how quickly a home fire becomes deadly. Every home needs to take preventative fire protection measures, including having reliable home fire safety products installed, most importantly having working smoke alarms on each level of the home and a well-rehearsed fire escape plan so families are prepared to act quickly should a fire occur.

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In the event of a fire, properly installed and maintained smoke alarms provide an early warning signal to your household. Broadview Security installs and monitors smoke/heat detectors and other home fire safety products that can alert you and Broadview Security if there is a fire in your home. Why should my home have smoke alarms? Smoke alarms provide an early warning signal -- so you and your family can escape quickly and safely. 74% of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.2 Smoke alarms are one of the best safety features you can install to help protect yourself, your family and your home. Okay, where do I put them? Broadview Security recommends the installation of smoke detectors that equal or exceed the recommended standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The NFPA recommends installation of a smoke detector (which may include battery-operated, non-monitored detectors) on every floor of your home (including the basement), outside every sleeping area, and in every room where people sleep. More information regarding fire safety tips and recommended fire protection steps are available at www.nfpa.org. You should also consult your local fire department or other local authority to determine any legal requirements regarding smoke detectors in your jurisdiction. How do I keep my smoke alarms working? Smoke alarms are very easy to take care of. There are two steps to remember. 1. Install fresh batteries at least once a year; sooner if the alarm makes a regular chirping signal, indicating low battery power. 2. Keep them clean. Dust and debris can interfere with their operation, so vacuum over and around your smoke alarm regularly. Learn more about Broadview Security smoke/heat detectors and other home fire safety recommendations

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Home Fire safety and survival begin with everyone in your household being prepared. Follow these home fire prevention tips and safety measures to help reduce the chance of a fire occurring in your home1:   •  Keep volatile chemicals, such as fertilizers and turpentine, in their original containers in a locked storage area separate from the home.  •  Keep things that can burn, such as dishtowels, paper or plastic bags, and curtains at least three feet away from the range top. •  Never leave a fire unattended and before you light the first one of the season, have the chimney/smokestack cleaned and inspected. •  Keep things that can burn away from your fireplace and keep a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace. •  Store matches and lighters in a locked cabinet.  •  Never leave burning candles unattended and do not allow children to keep candles or incense in their rooms.  •  Keep space heaters at least three feet away from things that can burn, such as curtains or stacks of newspaper, and always turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to bed. •  Be careful not to overload electrical outlets, extension cords and power strips. •  Check all wires and cords for damage and cover all unused electrical outlets. • Create a home fire safety escape plan for your family. Try to identify two ways out of each room (one way out might be the window, the other could be the door).