Over the years, the Madison area has seen too many fires that left families suffering the loss of their property and in some cases, even their lives. We would like to pass along a few suggestions to ensure this never happens to you and your family.
Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector
Do you know that carbon monoxide is a type of odorless gas that you cannot see that can cause death within a matter of hours? What’s even more worrisome, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is that the most common causes of it are present in just about every Madison home – you have a furnace, clothes dryer, fireplace, or attached garage, a small opening on a vent can cause a leak and without proper venting, become life-threatening in a matter of minutes.
So, what can you do?
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Place them on each floor of the home, especially near the bedrooms.
- Test them every month. Be sure you replace batteries at least one time a year.
- Have a professional maintain all your home appliances. Invest in an annual inspection to ensure they are all working safely.
Install or Update Smoke and Fire Alarms
Smoke alarms are relatively inexpensive and they save lives. Be sure you have the right type of alarm, and you have enough of them amount of alarms in your home. Here’s your checklist:
- Invest in smoke and fire alarms (combinations are available). These detect smoke as well as heat.
- Upgrade to a connected system. These will warn of a risk throughout the home, not just in one area. Some even link to your smartphone for improved communication.
- Test them on the first of every month. Replace the battery one time every year – at least. And, replace them in total every ten years.
- Check to be sure your alarms are not affected by the recent Kidde recall. If you have these fire alarms in your home, you need to replace them immediately.
Invest in Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are necessary to prevent a small fire from becoming a big one. We encourage you to purchase enough for the entire house as well as your garage, then teach the entire family how to use them. This will provide you with incredible protection going forward. Here’s your checklist:
- Choose the right fire extinguisher. There are various models available. We recommend one that can handle paper and plastic, as well as electrical, and chemical type fires. These are the most common concerns in homes. A Class ABC extinguisher that is rated by a national agency is best.
- Ensure every member knows how to use it. OSHA offers some guidance on this.
- And, be sure to look for recalls. If you have a Kidde model, you may need to replace it with a new one.
While we are not fire prevention experts, we are available to answer your questions about how to protect your finances in the event of a fire. Call or email us today to talk about how we can help you with your homeowners insurance.
