5 Fire Safety Tips for Families

October 21, 2019 17 By EngineerMommy

This post was sponsored by Kidde Fire Safety as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

As a mom, nothing is more important to me than protecting my family at home. Did you know that October is National Fire Prevention Month? This means that now is the perfect time to address some basic fire safety tips in and around the house. After all, the most important moment in a home emergency may very well be the moment you take today to prepare for such an emergency. When it comes to fire safety essentials, we’ve always relied on Kidde products, including smoke & carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers. Today I’m sharing five tips you can implement to make your home safer for tomorrow.

1. Install Kidde Alarms 

Nowadays we spend so much time in the house. It’s where we eat, where we play, where we gather, where we laugh…it’s where we live!

A shocking statistic I recently learned is that roughly 3 out of 5 fire fatalities occur in homes with no smoke alarms (or in homes with non-working smoke alarms.) We installed Kidde Smoke Alarms on every level of the home, including outside every sleeping area. Taking a few minutes to think about fire safety today can help prevent a lifetime of worry in the future. Outfitting your home with working smoke alarms (and other fire safety devices) from Kidde is a smart move. Oh, and don’t forget to replace the batteries at least once per year; if your alarms are hard-wired, replace the backup battery at least once per year. I have talked to Sophia many times about what to do in case of a fire; empowering her with knowledge is very important to me.

Just last week, I picked up a new Kidde Smoke Alarm from Walmart. Did you know that Kidde is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of fire safety devices, safeguarding homes & businesses from the effects of fire for over 100 years? The brand has indeed stood the test of time.

Kidde smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are a valuable addition to our home, as they help prevent injuries (and reduce property damage) by alerting people to fire dangers earlier. Our home is our sanctuary and we have done so many renovations over the years. Protecting our family and our property is of utmost importance to me. I appreciate that Kidde Smoke Alarms are sleek and elegant, blending in nicely with our decor.

Protect what matters today! With the fire safety devices from Kidde, you are investing in a safer home, as well as more peace of mind for the family.

2. Discuss a fire escape plan

Every family should have a fire escape plan in place. The general goal is to get everyone out of the house in under two minutes. Make a plan with at least two ways out of every room. Put your plan in writing and practice it regularly. During an emergency, adrenaline will be sky-high and thinking clearly will be nearly impossible. Part of your plan should be to designate a specific location outside that is a good distance away from the home. Once out of the home, call 911. While 71% of Americans have an escape plan in case of a fire, only 47% of those have practiced. Don’t be part of that statistic; create a plan and practice it.

3. Be cautious with flammable sources

Space heaters can be incredibly dangerous if not used responsibly. Always keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn and turn them off when you leave the room. Supervise young children when the heater is turned on as the heater can burn little hands. If using gasoline-powered devices (a generator, for example,) keep the gasoline in a locked location that is inaccessible to children. Also, it’s a good idea to keep only the quantity of gasoline that you need (not any more.)

4. Use common sense in the kitchen

Did you know that cooking equipment is the top cause of home fires? When cooking, avoid distractions as much as possible. Never leave a hot oven or stovetop unattended. Be especially cautious with deep fryers & other frying equipment, as these units tend to reach very high temperatures. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency and make sure you know exactly how to use it.

5. Be conservative with electrical devices

If any electrical work needs to take place in your home, hire a licensed professional to do the job. Check electrical cords throughout your home and ensure that cables are not frayed or otherwise damaged. Do not let cords run across doorways or under carpets. Also, keep in mind that overloading an outlet can be dangerous so limit the number of plugs in an outlet or power strip.

Don’t forget to learn more about Kidde Fire Safety systems to keep your home safer. Purchase Kidde smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers at Walmart!


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