Smoke detectors can save your life!

11/22/2017 (Permalink)

This little item can alert you to danger!

As Autumn transitions into Winter, now is the time to make sure you have working smoke detectors in your home.  Why?  Because there are so many ways your house can host a fire:

• From having a burning log rolling out, or a missing screen allowing sparks to fly out, and catch the rug or carpet on fire.
• Tipping over and catching anything flammable nearby on fire.
• Portable heaters. Placing them too close to drapes, bedding, etc.
• Many kitchen fires occur around the holidays, as people prepare more and larger meals.

Some smoke detector safety tips:

• Ensure you have smoke detectors on every level of the house, particularly near sleeping areas.
• Do NOT take out the batteries. Studies have shown that 46% of home fires in the US are in homes with smoke detectors, but had the batteries removed.
• Explain to children what a smoke detector means, and what to do when it goes off, especially at night.
• Test smoke detectors monthly. Pick a date (like the 1^st), and test each month on that date.
• Replace smoke detectors every 8-10 years.
• Change the batteries in your smoke detector when you change the clocks in the Spring/Fall. And as your changing the batteries, also take your vacuum and clean the dust from around the detector.
• Some smoke detectors now have lights to highlight your exit routes.

Check with your insurance carrier to see if they have discounts for having one or more smoke detectors in your home.

Smoke and soot particles can travel far from the actual flames.  If your home has suffered some smoke damage, call SERVPRO of Bedford Park/Burbank at 708-430-3600, and we will come out, assess the damage, and clean and disinfect all the affected rooms and materials.