While we may not want to think about a fire actually occurring in our home, having preventative measures in place is vital.
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION…
I still remember being in elementary school, sitting in the auditorium and learning from the local fireman the phrase “Stop, Drop and Roll” if our clothes ever caught fire. While that is very good advice, and I have never forgotten it, it would be even better if that could be avoided. While not every fire is preventable, we can take steps to help prevent them in our homes in Wichita, Kansas, and keep ourselves and our families safe even if a fire were to occur. While we may not want to think about a fire actually occurring in our home, having preventative measures in place is vital.
SOME FIRE FACTS
According to the National Fire Protection Agency, in 2020 local fire departments throughout the United States responded to an estimated 356,500 home structure fires. Sadly, these fires resulted in death, injury, and property damage. Home fires are more likely to begin in the kitchen than in any other room. In 2019, according to FEMA, 50.2% of home fires originated in the kitchen. The second most common cause is from heating sources, such as wood stoves and fireplaces. That is not to say that a fire can’t occur elsewhere in a home. Thus it becomes very important to make sure that your family is protected from a fire from any source in a home in Wichita, Kansas.
FIRE AND SMOKE ALARMS
A smoke alarm is critical for the early detection of a fire in your home in Wichita, Kansas and could mean the difference between life and death. Fires can occur in a variety of ways and in any room of your home. But no matter where or how, having a smoke alarm is the first key step toward your family’s safety.
Smoke alarms should be installed:
- On every level of the home
- In the kitchen
- Outside sleeping areas
- Inside bedrooms
Smoke alarms may contain different or multiple sensors. Both ionization and photoelectric detectors are effective smoke sensors, and even though both types of smoke detectors must pass the same tests to be certified to the voluntary standard for smoke alarms, they can perform differently in different types of fires.
- Ionization Type Smoke Alarm: Respond quickly to flaming fires that give off heat and hot gases with smaller (sub-micron) combustion particles.
- Photoelectric Type Smoke Alarm: Detectors respond more quickly to smoldering fires that give off larger combustion particles.
- Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm: Combines ionization and photoelectric detectors into one unit.
Alarms can be connected to the home’s wiring system, battery powered, or a combination of both in Wichita, Kansas. Smoke alarms most often fail to alarm because of missing, drained, or disconnected batteries. A good reminder to replace the batteries in smoke alarms is in the fall or spring when resetting the clocks.
Interconnected smoke alarms may provide improved protection and offer more escape time in a fire in Wichita, Kansas. This type of smoke alarm allows all smoke alarms to sound if one has detected smoke. With interconnected smoke alarms, a fire in the basement, for example, will trigger the closest smoke alarm and alert all the occupants in the home by sounding all the smoke alarms, so no matter where or what room people are in, they will be warned.
HOW TO CREATE A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN
- Make sure everyone knows how to escape when the smoke alarm sounds, whether awake or sleeping at the time.
- Have two ways out to escape from each room.
- Have a pre-arranged meeting place outside the home to meet at. Be very specific about the location.
- Practice the fire escape plan at least twice a year so that everyone understands what to do and where to meet.
“WHAT IFS” AND “JUST IN CASE”
It is never easy to plan for the “what ifs” and “just in case” because no one likes to dwell on things that could be traumatic. It can cause some anxiety and nervousness because these are uncomfortable thoughts, but thinking about it now can make a world of difference if the unimaginable were to happen. Life is full of the unforeseen, and we have to make full use of our abilities to get through these unforeseen events safely. Fire is one of those unforeseen unfortunate events that can’t always be prevented, but using the tools we have available to us we can prevent harm to ourselves and our families.
If your home has unfortunately suffered property damage from a fire or you have more questions about fire damage and prevention, we can help! Feel free to contact us through the form below.
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“ Inspector were very respectful and we’re well educated and showed real genuine concern for me and my family”
— Georgia H. in Wichita, Kansas
