Smoke, Carbon Monoxide and Fire Safety Tips For Summer

Help keep your family safe this summer by practicing fire and CO safety! While your kids are out of school, take this time to learn how you can help be prepared at home by following our summer safety tips. Be sure to involve the entire family so everyone is aware of how to prevent fires from starting and what to do in case a fire or carbon monoxide emergency does occur.

Install Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Start by installing the recommended protection in your home. Smoke alarms and CO detectors should be installed on every level, including the basement, outside of each sleeping area and inside every bedroom. Once your alarms are installed, test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with your kids so they can learn the sound of the alarm. This will help them to not be scared if the alarms go off and help them understand what to do when they hear that noise. If you have battery powered fire or CO alarms in your home, check and replace the batteries every 6 months or upgrade to our 10-year sealed battery alarms for continued protection for the life of the alarm. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms do not last forever and should be replaced at least every ten years.

Have Fire Extinguishers

While enjoying summer time favorites like grilling, lighting fireworks or having a bonfire, keep a fire extinguisher nearby to help keep your family safe if a fire were to occur. You should also keep a fire extinguisher on every level or your home, especially in the kitchen, garage and close to the grill. Fire extinguishers help keep a small fire from growing larger and spreading. When operating a fire extinguisher, remember P.A.S.S: Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle, Squeeze the trigger, Swipe from side to side. Only adults should operate a fire extinguisher in the event of an emergency. Everyone else needs to evacuate the house or area and call 9-1-1.

Create and Practice Your Emergency Escape Plan

Lastly, gather your family to create your own home emergency escape plan. Draw a map of your home using our Escape Plan Activity Sheet and indicate 2 exits to safety out of each room. Also designate a meeting spot a safe distance away from your home like the neighbor’s house or your mailbox. Everyone should meet at this spot and call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency. Never return into a burning building. After creating a safety plan, be sure to practice it twice a year so everyone in the family remembers the plan in case of an emergency.