The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released an alarming study about home fires and the number of fatalities it causes each year.
Each year, there are an average of 366,000 reported home fires, which claims the lives of seven people per day. Sixty percent of those deaths resulted from either faulty or missing smoke detectors. Because one out of every 320 homes will suffer a fire each year, it is wise to invest in smoke detectors to protect your home and family.
Georgia security companies, such as Central Monitoring, recommend monitored smoke detectors more than self-purchased models. This is because the company’s central station can monitor the situation at your home even when you are not there.
When it comes to home fires, every second it takes to react to a fire causes damage and put lives in danger. If you are not at home to take action or call 911, you might return to a burned-out husk instead of a home. Foresight pays for itself in the long run, so you should check out a company that provides fire systems in Albany: Central Monitoring. The peace of mind is certainly worth the cost.
Along with Georgia security companies, the government of Georgia and the National Fire Protection Association recommend the following measures to reduce the risk of fire:
- Keep an eye on what you are cooking. Going out and leaving the stove on is a recipe for disaster, especially if there are flammable materials near the stove. Be extra careful if you have a gas stove!
- In the winter, make sure there are no flammable materials anywhere near kerosene or electric space heaters. Those heaters get very hot and can ignite even materials you would not consider combustible.
- If you must smoke, do it outdoors. Falling asleep in bed or on the couch while smoking can ignite a blaze right next to you within minutes. Always make sure to have large, well-made ashtrays, too.
- Matches and lighters, unfortunately, are an irresistible draw to children and teens. Lock them up. The inconvenience could save your life.
- Check all electrical cords in the home. Frayed cords can sometimes ignite combustibles as easily as a space heater. You also do not want your pets to electrocute themselves!
- Ensure you have a plan to escape if a fire breaks out. You will not have time to grab anything in a true emergency, so you should be sure to have a fireproof lockbox or two for important keepsakes and papers. Choose an obvious place outside the home to meet for a head count. Have fire drills at least two or three times a year.
- Be careful with candles. Battery-operated lights are better in situations where the power goes out; however, if you use candles, always make sure to extinguish them when you leave a room.
- Install and test smoke alarms. It is very simple: Smoke alarms save lives. Monitored smoke alarms save even more lives than those that are not monitored.
Central Monitoring provides this service as part of any home security system. When it comes to fire systems in Albany, Central Monitoring has the expertise and experience to keep you and your family protected. For more information, please visit www.central911.com.
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