The New Year is the perfect time for self-reflection. It’s a great opportunity to review our lives and consider what we can do better in the new calendar year. Here at Judd Fire Protection, we’d like to take this opportunity to review some of the basics of fire safety. You may have heard most of these before, but now’s a great time to review these fire safety best practices.
The new year is a great time to review our fire safety best practices. Please keep these tips in mind in 2021!
Test Smoke Alarms Monthly
When was the last time you tested your smoke alarms? If you’re following your fire safety best practices, you’ve probably already done so in 2021. It’s advisable that you test them at least once per month. If you don’t hear the alarm, see if replacing the battery helps. If that doesn’t work, buy a replacement.
Review Fire Escape Plan
We hope that you never have to experience a commercial or residential fire, but we should always plan for the worst. Wherever you might be in your home or business, it’s your best practice to have an escape plan in case the unthinkable occurs. Fire drills take place in commercial spaces quite often, but why don’t you try one at home with your family?
Don’t Leave Fires Unattended
If there is any kind of fire in your home—be it your stovetop, a lit candle, or a roaring fireplace—you should never leave it unattended. Food can burn, candles can tip over, embers can pop out of your fireplace. It’s true that these are all technically ‘controlled’ flames, but don’t take that for granted. Always keep an eye on them.
Have Fire Extinguishers
Simply put, if there isn’t a fire extinguisher in your home, you should get one as soon as possible. Keep in mind that they don’t last forever, either; so if your fire extinguisher has been gathering dust in your pantry for 15 years, you should replace it.
Ideally, you should have multiple. Most house fires start in the kitchen, so you should definitely have one there. But consider other locations in your home, too, such as your living room if you have a fireplace. Put it out of sight but somewhere you can still reach it quickly if you have to.
Do a Fire Safety Inspection
When it comes to fire safety best practices, nothing is better than foresight. No one knows when the unthinkable will occur, but with just a little bit of training you should be able to notice any big fire safety risks in your home or business. Are you lighting candles to close to curtains? Do you have damaged or overloaded electrical cords or outlets? The first step to fire safety is prevention.
Please keep these tips in mind as we all move forward into 2021!
Commercial and Residential Fire Prevention from Judd Fire Protection
If you want to ensure your home and business are safe throughout the year, trust Judd Fire Protection, LLC. We have over two decades of experience in designing, installing, inspecting, and repairing residential and commercial fire protection systems. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and West Virginia. If you are interested in finding out more about our services and protecting your home and business, give us a call at 410-871-3480 or contact us online. For more fire safety tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.