We’ve pointed out in several of our posts that we work with customers to create a security plan that fits their specific applications and security needs. Every property lends its own unique security threats. Moreover, every customer also brings their own set of security concerns as well as their desired user experience to the table. Of course, we always work to ensure that we meet all of these expectations. However, we also educate our customers to create security plans based on other factors as well, such as changing living situations or seasonal security concerns. Sometimes, these plans involve potentially adding more security equipment. Additionally, they also involve taking some common-sense measures to proactively address potential concerns. Since every season brings its own security challenges, we’ll appropriately spend this week’s post helping you create fall fire security.
First, we’ll address one of the biggest weather-related threats of the season. Since sweater weather also coincides with turning the heat on, we’ll start with heater-related security tips. From there, we’ll focus on candle security, which the National Fire Protection Association (or “NFPA”) takes seriously enough to address at length on their website. From there, we’ll look at two security equpiment-related ways to create fall fire security. Specifically, this equipment includes monitored smoke and carbon monoxide (or “CO”) detection. It also includes adding the right exitinguishers to help you effectively fight fires that start in your home. We’ll provide you with a rundown of ways to add this security as well. Now, let’s dive in an and see how you can turn your heaters on for the year with minimal security risk!
Sweater Weather Means “Heater Weather”
As you can probably guess, heater use contributes to the overall fire threat that the fall season ushers in. Before turning the heat on for the first time, consider inspecting and cleaning all of the components of your heating system, including both the cleaning unit itself and all heaters throughout your home. Of course, some heating maintenance differs based on what type of heat you have. We encourage you to consult your heating unit’s manuals and call the company that installed your heating unit for tips on maintenance.
Taking proper candle usage precautions goes a long way towards adding overall fall fire security as the seasons change.
Additionally, clean off your heaters before turning them on for the first time this year, and make sure that the areas around your heaters remain clear. Drapes, clothing, and loose papers around heaters can all work to undermine any autumn fire security precautions that you may undertake this year. Simply keeping your heaters clear of any flammable objects goes a long way! Now, let’s take a look at how following some candle-related best-practices can improve your overall fall fire security.
Gearing up for Peak Candle Season
What’s better than a cinnamon, pumpkin, or equally fall-related scent drifting through your home as the result of lighting a cozy-looking candle? Many homeowners begin burning candles in earnest as the weather gets colder. Of course, this practice brings its own fire-related dangers if those lighting candles fail to take proper precautions. For example, do not leave a room with a lit candle for a long period of time. Furthermore, as we pointed out in our Best Practices to Improve Bedroom Security, sometimes people fall asleep in bedrooms with burning candles. We strongly recommend blowing all candles out well before falling asleep.
Additionally, candles and decorations pose a unique candle-related fire threat. In fact, the NFPA shares that festive decorations directly lead to more candle-related fires. From Halloween through Thanksgiving and then through the holiday season, the danger from festive decorations obviously increases. We recommend keeping a safe distance between decorations and candles and, once again, making sure you do not leave lit candles unattended. Taking basic precautions can go a long way towards adding both security and peace of mind as turning on your heat, lighting candles, and decorating your home all come into play this autumn. Let’s now turn our attention to a couple security products that you can install to create fall fire security!
Monitoring Your Smoke and CO Detection
When we install a security system for our customers, we also connect their alarms to our monitoring service. In doing so, we make sure that our central station responds to any alarm activations. Up an activation, our central station dispatchers can call the premises to check on the situation. If necessary, they can even dispatch the proper authorities to your home! Obviously, this adds quite a bit of security and peace of mind for our customers. When most of our customers think about this service, they think about it in terms of burglary-related security. Of course, this represents an extremely important aspect of what these systems offer. Thieves coming through doors or windows activate door sensors and motion detectors that activate your alarm’s siren, set the monitoring response in motion, and get the police to your property.
However, burglar security only represents a small portion of what these alarms can accomplish. In addition to watching over your home for criminal activity, they can also provide a valuable measure of life safety as well. We offer monitored smoke and CO detection that can alert you to the presence of a fire or carbon monoxide-related emergency in your home. More importantly, these devices also create a fire department dispatch that can save your home in your absence, or even save the life of you or a family member if someone is home during one of these events! We highly recommend adding this security to any existing alarm system. Now, let’s look at some best practices to help improve your fall fire security.
Putting Fires Out When They Start
Fire extinguishers provide our customers with a quick, effective way to control the spread of fires. Unfortunately, we run into a couple issues when it comes to extinguishers in homes. For starters, many homeowners fail to purchase any fire extinguishers at all. We consider these devices a basic and essential piece of any security plan. However, many people see them as a “commercial” security measure and fail to install them at home. Obviously, purchasing extinguishers and placing them strategically can help address this issue.
Equipping your home with fire extinguishers goes a long way towards helping you stop house fires in their tracks.
Additionally, we often find that customers buy the wrong types of extinguishers for the job. For example, did you know you should fight any grease or cooking oil-related fire with a very specific type of extinguisher? These extinguishers, called class “K” extinguishers, can douse kitchen fires that no other extinguisher could properly fight. Moreover, using the wrong type of extinguisher can actually make fires spread more quickly! Feel free to check out our post on Fire Extinguisher Classes and Best Practices for more information on this subject. As always, feel free to call us so that we can help you purchase the right extinguishers for your home.
Experiencing Complete Fall Fire Security this Year
We hope that this post helps you create fall fire security this year and for years to come. Moreover, we also encourage you to contact us with any questions this post raises for you. We will happily answer any and all of your security-related inquiries. Additionally, we also invite you to take advantage of our complimentary site survey program. We offer free security audits and equipment quotes to both new and existing customers alike. While on site, we can address any of your security concerns. Furthermore, we can also make suggestions of our own based on observations made during our visit.
Perhaps you have a security plan in place, but wish to act on some of the suggestions found here. Or, maybe you have very little security now, and want to build a complete plan from the ground up. Either way, we are here to help. We’ve worked with over a thousand customers over our thirty-four years in business to create a system of security equipment and services that fits their own unique needs. Together, we can work with you to create a security plan that keeps you, your home, and your family as safe and secure as possible!