Your Home, Your Life- Fire Safety Maintenance You Can’t Risk Ignoring

Our lives are all busy, I know that, but there are a few things around the house that you really need to set aside time for. Fire safety should most definitely be at the top of that list. Someone’s life depends on it.

A fatal fire yesterday in a nearby town, sadly took the lives of a mother and daughter. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but initial news reports disclosed that there were no working smoke detectors in the home.

I think this is the ideal opportunity to post a brief reminder and some quick maintenance tips. They just may save a life.

You likely already know that home upkeep is vital to maintaining your home’s value, but some home maintenance goes way beyond simply protecting your largest investment. Fire safety maintenance ensures your safety and the safety of the ones you love. Don’t get caught in a dangerous situation that could have been prevented with a few crucial, but easily accomplished, fire-safety tasks for your home.

Check Your Smoke Detectors
This task is a no-brainer. We all hear numerous reminders to check your smoke detectors monthly. Unfortunately, such an easy and infrequent task is often pushed to the side. Don’t set yourself up for an unsafe situation—set a recurring reminder to check your detectors to ensure your household’s safety. Depending on your model, you may have to change your batteries yearly and replace your smoke alarms entirely every ten years.

Replace Your Fire Extinguishers
Having a fire extinguisher can be a lifesaver in the event of a small house fire. However, owners of fire extinguishers can feel a false sense of security; it’s not enough to have a fire extinguisher. You must know where it is and how to use it properly. Did you know that fire extinguishers have an expiration date? Be vigilant about replacing your extinguishers once they have reached their expiration. Don’t get caught with a faulty safety tool when you need it the most.

Clean Your Dryer Vents
Dryer vents can be a hazard. Regularly clean your dryer vents to prevent flammable lint build up. Some signs that your dryer vent could be clogged include:

Damp clothes after a normal drying cycle.
Large amounts of lint build-up in the lint trap.
High lint build-up in the vents each time you clean them.
Clothes or laundry room have a musty or burnt odor after drying.
Clothes seem unusually hot to the touch.

Clean the dryer lint filter before and after each load of laundry and completely clean any and all lint out of the vent pipe every three months. It may be a good idea to regularly hire a professional to inspect and clean your dryer venting, especially if your vents are long. A professional will be able to save you time and do a much better job of cleaning those lengthy vents.
Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2020. All rights reserved.