Winter Fire Safety: Fire Alarms
As we're all spending lots more time inside, don't forget to be safe INSIDE. Chilly winter days and dark snowy nights means we're starting up the fireplace and turning up the furnace--fire hazards are very real! December and January are considered the peak home fire danger months.
Especially as Christmas decorations are out, it doesn't hurt to perform a quick double check of fireplaces and other heat sources to make sure they're not blocked or covered inappropriately.
Additionally, check your fire alarms. Over half of all home-related fire tragedies occur at night. Any additional moment of knowledge of a fire in your home could be the difference in saving the life of a loved one. Checking a smoke alarm is as simple as pushing the "test" button on the smoke alarm face, and then immediately pushing the "hush" button after your eardrums have been shattered by the alarm so reminiscent of mom making pancakes during your childhood... if those childhood memories are NOT brought back to you by a high pitched alarm, you should replace the batteries!
If getting on a ladder isn't something you're comfortable with, grab a broom handle and softly poke the buttons.
Safety is important, and disaster is never something any of us plan to happen. Preparing for the worst keeps the worst from being the worst.
