Home is where the heart is.
And while the risk is much smaller compared with accidents, crime is also a concern these days.
FUNDAMENTALS OF FIRE SAFETY
1.
There are two types of smoke alarms, he says.
Ionization smoke alarms are more common and less expensive, but dont do a great job detecting smoky fires.
Photoelectric smoke alarms do a much better job.
(NFPA recommends using both in your home.
There are combination alarms available as well, including ones that can detect smoke and carbon monoxide.)
Additionally, smoke alarms need to be replaced more often than you might think.
If you press the test button, all you might be testing is whether the horn goes off.
You may not be testing the actual sensor.
And if the sensors bad, its not going to work.
The other is a strobe alarm or bed shaker.
Brands such as Google Nest, Kidde and First Alert Onelink offer these products.
Avoid dead spots for smoke alarms
You also should be mindful of smoke alarm placement.
Barker says corners often are dead spots.
If one alarm sounds, all alarms throughout the home sound in unison.
Hair straighteners and heat tools can be really good things to use with smart plugs, McEntire says.
Be careful with self-cleaning ovens
The self-cleaning cycle on your oven can also be risky.
Store combustibles strategically
Garages, laundry rooms and basements are common places to store toxic and combustible items.
The vapors off-gassing are heavier than air, which means theyll sink to a low level.
And as they travel through the floor, theyll seek an ignition source.
And you should never throw 9-volts in the trash.
Drop them off at your local hazardous waste collection site with other hazardous materials instead.
