Fire Safety: Is your Home Protected?
We all know about the dangers of fire, especially here in Australia, where we have suffered the worst bush fires in our short history, and regarding protecting your home, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of a fire in your home or business premises. One thing you do need in the case of any fire is early warning, and with that in mind, here are the essential steps that you should take to ensure that you and your family are protected against fire.
- Smoke Detectors – These need to be placed on the ceilings at various locations in the home; with one in the kitchen, the living room, the hall, plus one on the upstairs landing and one in every bedroom. Once installed, the smoke alarms need to be tested every 6 months, to ensure they work correctly, and by using a local firm such as Jim’s Fire Safety, you can be sure the units are thoroughly inspected, with the data recorded on the devices. Having smoke detectors could not only save your life, they can help to minimise fire damage by early action, which is why you need instant access to a fire extinguisher or blanket.
- Fire Extinguishers – With smoke detectors in all the right places, should there be a fire, installing portable fire extinguishers will ensure that fire is quickly put out. There are specialist online companies that supply, install and maintain fire extinguishers, and regular visits, plus some tuition, and you can quickly take the right action to extinguish the fire.
Portable fire extinguishers need to be checked in the following ways:
- Accessibility
- Service Tag
- External Condition
- Outlet Hose Assembly
- Pressure Indicator
The technician would also check for full charge, while ensuring that the support bracket is soundly fitted. Each service would be logged on the service tag for future reference, and once you made contact with the company, they would come and inspect the extinguishers, plus check your smoke alarms while there.
Fire can take hold in literally a few minutes, and without smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, things can very rapidly get out of hand, and one can never be sure how long it will take the emergency services to arrive. Every homeowner should do what they can to protect their property (and family) against the very real threat of fire, which can come at any time and in any location.
- Fire Blankets – Commercial kitchens should have fire blankets and installing one in your kitchen is never a bad idea, as they are recommended for cooking oil fires, as the blanket instantly deprives the fire of oxygen and it is extinguished. Fire blankets can be fitted in garages, workshops or any other location where there is a risk of fire, and they also need to be inspected on a regular basis.
It is a small investment to install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in your home, but it could save your life and your home, should there be a fire at any time. If you would like a quote for this service, a Google search will help you contact a local fire prevention company, who would be happy to quote for the project.
