Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.
Home fire escape planning and practicing
It is important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different.
Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure that someone will help them!
- Download the Home Fire Escape Plan for Fire Prevention Week from the National Fire Protection Association
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger. Smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom, outside of the sleeping areas (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of your home. Do not put smoke alarms in your kitchen or bathrooms.
Choose an alarm that is listed with a testing laboratory, meaning it has met certain standards for protection. Another great reason to choose ASP.
For the best protection, use combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that are interconnected throughout the home and monitored by ASP. These can be installed by our qualified technicians, so that when one sounds, they all sound. This ensures you can hear the alarm no matter where in your home the alarm originates. 24/7 monitoring insures that even if you’re not home, the fire department will be dispatched immediately.
Finally, be sure to test your alarms regularly, and replace the batteries at least once a year.
Additional benefits of an integrated system
If you’re awoken by the sound of your fire alarm, then by this time your security system has already switched your thermostat to ‘off’, turned on your interior lights and unlocked your front door’s lock, all so you can safely make your way through the house and quickly get outside.
