Making Your Home Safer From Fire (NAPSA)—Anytime of year can be the right time to make sure your homeis asfire safe as possible. One simple way to start is to replace the batteries in each smoke detector in the home. Smoke detectors are the first line of defense—every level of the home needs to have properly working smoke alarms. It’s also important to install one in every sleeping area. Test each smoke alarm once a month. Anotherstep is to hire a professional to inspect and clean your home’s heating system—whether it’s a furnace, kerosene heater or woodburning stove—and make sure it’s in good working condition. Replace your furnace’s filter regularly—they’re inexpensive and can be picked up at your nearest home-improvement warehouse. Never use fuel-burning appliances without proper ventilation—they produce toxic gasses such as carbon monoxide. Keep any combustible items at least three feet away from any heat source and ensure that all heat sources have the proper guards installed to prevent burns. Inspect electrical cords for frays or other damage. Another increasingly popular option for homeowners is home fire sprinkler systems. Fire sprinklers help save lives by putting a small amount of water on the flames whenthefire starts. Fire sprinklers can also save money on insurance premiums. It’s an important option to discuss @ Fire sprinkler systems are becoming more popular in home safety. Sprinkler heads can be blended into the home’s decor through the useofflat plates that conceal the headin the ceiling. with builders during the homeconstruction process. “Installing a homefire sprinkler system when building a home typically costs less than $2 per square foot—a small price to pay for protecting family and prop- erty,” says Darren Palmieri of Tyco Fire & Building Products, manufacturer of the Rapid Response home fire sprinkler system. He also points out that homeowners have a growing choice of looks and finishes for sprinkler systems to blend with decor. Should a fire break out, stay low—the poisonous gasses produced in a fire are often the cause of death, not thefire itself. Have an escape plan in place with two exit routes and practice it at least once a month with your family. Communicationis essential. For more information, visit the following Web sites: www.home safetycouncil.org, www.homefire sprinkler.org, www.nfpa.org and www.tyco-rapidresponse.com. Note to Editors: October is National Fire Safety Month.
