Secure Zone Safety - Fire Safety Products

Fire Safety Products

When you think of fire safety products, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a fire extinguisher. But do you know what other fire safety products you should have on hand?

Home Fire Safety Products

Another obvious fire safety product that you're likely to have in your home is a smoke detector. Ideally, you should have one in every room, but if that's not possible, you should at the very least have one on each level of your house. Most smoke detectors are inexpensive and low-maintenance. If the battery is running low, it will let you know with an occasional "chirp." At that point, just take it down and replace the battery. But make sure you do it right away. Don't take it down and just leave it or disconnect it. For maximum fire safety, you need your smoke detector to be operational at all times.

Let's go back to fire extinguishers for a moment. These fire safety products can keep a small fire from turning into a much larger fire. It's a good idea to keep one in the kitchen and one in the garage. If you own a boat, keep one on board there too.

If you live in a multi-story house, townhouse or apartment, you might want to invest in an escape ladder. Most escape ladders hook on to window sills and provide a safe exit for someone who's trapped in a bedroom if other exits are blocked by fire. It's good to have an escape ladder in all upstairs bedrooms--just make sure your children know how to use it properly, and make sure they only use it in the event of a fire so that it's in good working condition if there ever is a fire.

Speaking of townhouses and apartments, most of them have extra fire safety products, like fire sprinkler systems installed so that if there's a fire in one unit, it can be put out quickly and the fire won't spread to other units. The same thing could be applied to your house. If businesses use fire sprinkler systems, and they're installed in townhouses and apartment buildings, why not protect your home with a fire sprinkler system?

Finally, there are carbon monoxide detectors. No home should be without one. Although these aren't necessarily fire safety products , they can protect your family from inhaling carbon monoxide, which is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. But you want to be sure to install them in the appropriate areas to avoid false alarms. The Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that they be located near sleeping areas where they can wake you if you are asleep. Having additional detectors on every level provides an extra measure of protection. Avoid installing them directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances (like gas stoves) since these appliances may emit a small amount of carbon monoxide when they're turned on. In addition, you should not place one within 15 feet of heating appliances or very humid areas like bathrooms.

You probably have some of these items, but consider the others as well to ensure maximum fire protection for your family.