Diy Home Security Systems

Do-it-yourself home security systems get more popular every year. Installing your own security system saves time and money. When DIY systems are properly installed, they are just as effective as systems installed by professional security companies.

With most DIY security systems, you will have to purchase your own equipment, and your purchase will come with everything you need to get the system in place. You might have to sign a service contract and/or pay monthly monitoring fees. If you shop around, you can usually find a company that doesn’t require a contract. In many cases, you can also find a company that doesn’t charge monthly monitoring fees. Some home security companies even offer free installation. Click here for the Top 10 Best Diy Home Security Systems.

Although some homeowners may be intimidated by the idea of installing a residential security system, modern technology makes the installation process quick and easy. Of course, residential security companies can also install the system for you if you’d rather not do it yourself. However, most DIY home security systems are wireless, so the installation process basically involves placing sensors strategically throughout your home. If you do get stuck or have a question, most companies have a 24/7 customer service hotline where you can always get help.

Table of Contents

• Advantages Of DIY Home Security Systems
• Is a Hardwired Alarm Better Than A Wireless System?
• What’s Involved In A DIY Home Alarm Installation?
• Can I Get Extra Features For My DIY Home Security System?
• How Will My Home Be Protected?
• Do I Need Special Equipment Or Technical Skills?
• How Much Do Residential Security Systems Cost?

Advantages Of DIY Home Security Systems

All residential security systems do basically the same thing: They scan for threats, identify threats and report threats to a monitoring service that dispatches help to your home. The biggest advantage of a DIY security installation is that it will cost you far less than a professionally-installed system. You’ll also have more freedom to customize the system according to your needs. An additional advantage of DIY security systems is that if and when you move, you can take the system with you.

One advantage of professional installation is that security professionals will visit your property, assess the security needs of your home, make suggestions and recommendations, and then install the system and show you how to use it. A professional installation usually takes only a few hours.

Is a Hardwired Alarm Better Than A Wireless System?

The biggest advantages of wired systems is that they come with backup batteries in case there is a power outage. Wired systems are also less prone to electrical interference from other devices. However, they cost more than wireless systems, and they are not easy to install yourself unless you know exactly what you’re doing.

With wireless systems, installation is a breeze. Sensors send signals to a central control panel, and all you have to do is place the sensors in strategic locations throughout your home. Wireless systems are a great way to secure your rental property because you can take the system with you when you move. DIY home security systems can be controlled remotely by computers, smart phones and tablets. The only real downside of a DIY system is that because wireless systems operate on batteries, you will have to make sure that the batteries in your system are always fully charged.

What’s Involved In A DIY Home Alarm Installation?

Most people find DIY home alarm installation to be quick and easy. Simply follow the instructions for setup, and position the sensors and cameras wherever you want. This process takes only a few minutes. DIY residential security systems come with user-friendly software that makes it easy to manage your system after it has been installed.

Can I Get Extra Features For My DIY Home Security System?

Yes. DIY residential security systems offer you a variety of add-ons in addition to motion detectors. These features include indoor temperature detectors, cameras, window and door sensors, carbon monoxide detectors, flood detectors, door locks, timers, smoke detectors, medical monitoring and driveway/outdoor monitoring. You can even get a video monitoring system that will babysit your kids when they are home alone.

How Will My Home Be Protected?

Most people prefer to communicate with a monitoring service via their cell phones and to receive text and email alerts when a threat is detected. Security systems employ 24/7 monitoring, so every time an alarm is triggered, a siren goes off and the monitoring company is notified immediately. You will be contacted, and if you confirm the security breach or fail to answer the phone, the police, fire department or other applicable agency will be notified.

Do I Need Special Equipment Or Technical Skills?

Do-it-yourself residential security systems come with everything you need to have a fully-functional home safety system up and running within minutes. Most DIY home security companies provide 24/7 tech support so that if you need help with your system, a customer service agent will always be ready to help.

How Much Do Residential Security Systems Cost?

Home security systems used to cost hundreds of dollars for a hard-wired installation performed by a technician. These systems took hours to install and came with high monthly monitoring fees and long-term service contracts. These days, most residential security systems don’t require a service contract, and with many monitoring companies, there is no monthly service charge. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/alarm-systems/diy-c5ec/

Peepholes and Door Viewers

When it comes to your family’s safety, you will do anything you can to reduce risks. Whenever you drive, you make sure that everyone is secured in your vehicle and that your insurance is current. At home, window locks and door bolts are always double-checked, and you might even have a home security system in place.

As a responsible adult, you use every precaution to protect your home and family. However, you probably haven’t thought about your currently installed peepholes since you moved into your house, and these seemingly unobtrusive tools are one of your first lines of defense against home intruders, making door viewers more important than you realize. Click here for the Top 10 Best Peepholes and Door Viewers.

Table of Contents

• What Is a Door Viewer?
• Benefits For Safety and Security
• Options and Features

What Is a Door Viewer?

Most exterior doors come equipped with a basic door peephole. This simple device adds a layer of security to any home by screening everyone who knocks on your door. It’s simple to look through the tiny lens and see if your visitor is someone you know. Traditional peepholes are effective but limited in their application.

In some cases, it’s possible to see that someone is looking through the peephole, and your range of view is limited to your direct field of vision. Door viewers are more advanced than a standard peep hole, having a multi-lens system as opposed to just a simple piece of window glass.

Benefits For Safety and Security

No matter how much time and money you put into the security system in your home, intruders can easily push their way through your precautions if you simply open the door to them. Uninvited visitors are especially a concern if you have minor children at home or elderly family members who are less able to fight off an attacker.

When you install a door viewer, anyone in your home can quickly see who is knocking without the visitor even realizing there are people in the house. Many models include digital technology that acts like a real-time security camera, so you don’t even have to be standing right at the door to see who is approaching. A door viewer camera usually has a digital screen that you can hang away from the entrance to view your entire front porch and walkway clearly.

Options and Features

When you decide to replace your standard peephole with a higher-tech door viewer, there are options for all price ranges. A basic wide angle door viewer without a digital screen can cost as little as $30 while still providing viewing ranges of 130 degrees from seven feet away. Even these low-budget models often have technology that keeps outsiders from seeing back into your home.

Increasing your budget brings even more features to the table, including the ability to record and save interactions on an SD card and play them back later if needed. While you always hope you won’t use these components, having a recording could prove invaluable as police evidence in an investigation, so it’s a feature to seriously consider when you’re shopping.

The most advanced door viewer cameras have a full range of capabilities and are ideal for both home and businesses. Many models include night vision technology, so you can see clearly after dark or when your porch is in a shadow. Also look for cutting-edge capabilities, like door viewer cameras that automatically record every time someone knocks or approaches your entrance. Finally, take note of how the device is installed – many quality door peepholes are designed for installation by moderately handy homeowners, so you won’t need a contractor if you shop smart.

Nobody wants to think about the possibility of experiencing a home invasion, but thousands of families become victims every day. While you might think that burglaries happen at night or when people are on vacation, statistics indicate that almost one-third of home invasions occur when someone is at home and that the invader is most likely to enter through a front door.

While it’s a given that you should keep your doors and windows locked, adding a simple tool like a door viewer is a smart and inexpensive way to add another layer of protection to your house, ensuring that the only visitors your family receives are the ones that are wanted and welcome in your home. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/door-security/peephole/

Door Alarms

Door alarms are at the foundation of just about every home security system currently in use today. They come in a wide variety of configurations, and are designed to cover many different challenges. What they all have in common is a singular goal of keeping us safe from danger. Whether that danger comes in the form a criminal with the intent of committing a robbery or home invasion, a young child that thinks he is an escape artist, or an older adult prone to dementia wandering.

Door alarms can be grouped into a few distinct categories. There are the hardwired and wireless varieties that are usually part of a larger monitored home security system. The standalone devices that sound a siren locally and are only intended to protect a single entrance, and finally the portable units that are completely self-contained and can be used when traveling. Click here for the Top 10 Best Door Alarms.

Except for the portable models that usually employ some sort of pressure or vibration sensor, most door alarms will utilize the magnetic contact switch to detect an intrusion. While it is true that this technology has been around for a while now, it is still in use because of its simplicity, reliability, effectiveness and resistance to tampering.

Unlike other door security products such as pick resistant locks, braces, and reinforcement kits, that are designed to physically keep the bad guys out of your home, the door alarm uses the one thing that criminals fear most…loud attention-getting noise. An alarm going off at two in the morning is absolutely going to wake a sleeping homeowner, and also has the potential of attracting unwanted attention from nearby neighbors.This is a scenario that more often than not ends with an arrest, a lengthy prison sentence or worse, if the occupant is N.R.A member.

Not only useful for keeping burglars out of your home, they are an effective way of preventing young children, and adults with dementia, or Alzheimers from wandering away from home. As a parent of a young child, I know exactly how fast a clever four year can silently open a door and slip out of the house unnoticed. It just takes a few seconds of inattention, and you have the recipe for a tragic news story. With a door alarm installed, you will not only be notified when there is a break in attempt, but also when your little convict decides to make a run for it.

There are rooms, closets and cabinets within your home that are utilized to store hazardous cleaning supplies, medicines, and weapons. In these circumstances, the threat you are dealing with comes from within your own home, more specifically from inquisitive children, or guests attempting to access these items. A simple way to neutralize this problem is to secure these areas with an easy to install door alarm. That same screeching 120 decibel siren that will send a two hundred-pound career criminal running, will also have an identical effect on your little angel.

There can be no argument against the effectiveness of a properly installed door alarm, but they are just one part of a larger home security and personal safety plan that should employ other devices, such as exterior lighting, quality locks on both doors and windows, and of course a monitored alarm system. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/door-security/alarms-784e/

Window Alarms

Installing an alarm on the ground floor windows of your home is one of the expert recommended ways to ensure the safety of the premises from unwanted intruders and burglars. This mode of safety and security is preferred because it is simple to use and install, yet very effective in keeping unwanted guests and thieves away.

How magnetic contact window alarms work – These types of alarms operate using the same basic principle as burglar alarms used for securing doors. A closed electrical circuit is installed on an entry way, in this case on windows, but it can also be installed on doors. Flashback to Physics lessons, an electric circuit is made up of source of power (electricity), a switch and connecting wires that work as the path for the flow of electricity. Click here for the Top 10 Best Window Alarms.

These are the only components required for an electric circuit to be operational. In a window alarm, the device is plugged into the electric supply of the house (source of power/ electricity) and the entry way (window) acts as the switch to the circuit. There are two types of circuits that can be used to make a window alarm;

• Open circuit system: in this type of circuit, the path for the flow of electricity is complete when the window is open. This means that the alarm does not sound when the window is open, but rather when it’s shut. In such model of systems, the alarm is triggered when someone attempts to close the window, leading to a breakage in the flow of electricity, and immediately the alarm starts to chime.

• Closed circuit system: unlike the open circuit system, in this one the circuit is complete when the window is shut. Therefore, so long as the window is closed, the alarm is not triggered and only chimes when the window is opened leading to breakage of flow of electricity.

The closed circuit model is preferable for window alarms as opposed to the open circuit model because of the following reasons;

1. Most of the time extra security is necessary when there is no one in the premises and it is therefore left when all entry points are shut

2. In an open model the burglar or intruder could get access to through the open entry and disconnect the alarm without being noticed.

For effective protection, most magnetic sensors have the feature of a control box. The control box comes into play when the alarm has been triggered. The purpose of this component is to ensure that only members of the family have the ability to switch off an alarm that has been triggered.

The control box has its own power supply independent from the main circuit and can be connected to more than one alarm circuit. This component ensures that a chiming alarm is not disabled until a code is punched in. It is advisable to install the control box keypad in a location that cannot be easily seen and accessed by an intruder because they could cut it off ending the chime prematurely.

When going for a window alarm, first identify the most vulnerable windows. That is, large windows that can be an entry point and those without grills. Once identified, purchase one sensor for each. High windows that are visible from a busy street do not need to be wired with a sensor because they are not at a vulnerable spot even though this assessment is done with the general security of the area where the house is located. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/window-security/alarms-a9df/

High Security Door Locks

Think about home security, and the first thing that comes to your mind is the topic of door locks. Although some people living in small towns believe that they never need to lock their doors, the fact is that locks are necessities if you want to provide a safe home for your family. Besides the issue of privacy, locks help protect your property from thieves and unwanted intruders. Consequently, locking your door is the first step to ensuring that your home has a secure environment. Click here for the Top 10 Best Door Locks & Deadbolts.

Table of Contents

• How to Know When to Replace a Lock
• The Efficiency of a Dead Bolt
• Lockable Thumb turn Style Dead Bolt Lock
• Pick Resistant Locks
• A Few Words About Lock Grading
• Installing a Door Lock
• Electronic Locks as Alternatives
• Match the Lock According to your Preferences

How to Know When to Replace a Lock

1. Change locks on all the doors when you buy an older home that was previously inhabited by other owners or renters. You do not know who has keys to the locks. Prevent an unexpected break-in by replacing all the locks.

2. If you value home security, you do not want a rusty or worn out lock on your door. Thieves find that less than perfect locks are easier to pick. If the key is still difficult to turn after you oil the area, you may need to replace the lock.

3. If an intruder breaks into your residence, you need to install a new lock. For one thing, the door and lock may have been inadvertently damaged from the sheer force caused by the intrusion.

The Efficiency of a Dead Bolt

Doors without dead bolts are open invitations to devious intruders. You can install double cylinder dead bolts requiring interior and exterior keys for opening the locks. However, a double cylinder dead bolt is not a good idea when you need to leave your home in a hurry. You can actually find yourself living in an authentic Gothic novel when you lock yourself inside your house.

Another thing you need to know about double cylinder dead bolts is that they are illegal in certain areas. The reason that authorities tend to frown on double cylinder dead bolts is based on sound reasoning. If a fire occurs, you may not have immediate access to open the door. Thus, the fire may trap you inside your own home. So, even though double cylinder dead bolts deter potential crimes from taking place, a single cylinder dead bolt may provide the best solution for complete security in all situations.

Lockable Thumb turn Style Dead Bolt Lock

For extra security, choose a lockable thumb turn style dead bolt lock. Offering the best of both dead bolt lock worlds, this lock is a combination of the single cylinder and double cylinder mechanism. When you need to lock the door on the outside and inside, the thumb turn lock is a good choice. Unlike the double cylinder lock, the thumb turn lock has a built-in feature enabling it to remain unlocked when you are indoors.

Pick Resistant Locks

When you think about the most secure way to lock your door, consider the type of lock you purchase. You need to shop for a pick resistant lock featuring a mushroom pin or pick shield. A pick resistant, bump proof lock makes it more difficult for intruders to invade your private space or steal your valuable jewelry. The locking capability of a bump proof lock features an extra locking mechanism rendering it difficult to manipulate.

Look for locks that come with 3-inch screws and secure the door hinges with 3-inch screws. These screws go all the way through the wall studs. Consequently, the door is more secure from break-ins. Find a door lock that includes a hardened pin. Of course, durable material is a must. For instance, you can find affordable locks made with forged brass. In addition to the strength offered by forged brass, your home benefits from the attractive appearance and design.

A Few Words About Lock Grading

When you choose a lock, pick a Grade 1 commercial lock if you are aiming for longevity. A Grade 1 lock is able to go through 800,000 cycles before it stops working properly. Otherwise, a Grade 2 lock is sufficient for securing your residential doors. Another type of lock grading consists of grades ranging from AAA to C. A lock with an AAA rating is at the top of the list.

Installing a Door Lock

If you are handy around the house, you can remove and replace the door lock. However, you need to use the proper tools including a drill and a chisel. Plus, you must decide where to place the doorknob. If you feel the slightest bit of discomfort at the thought of drilling and installing a lock, call a locksmith to do the work. You can hire a good locksmith for a reasonable price.

Electronic Locks as Alternatives

If you do not want to use a key, you can always install an electronic lock featuring a keypad. With an electronic lock, you simply operate the lock by keying in your security code. You can also find an electronic lock offering remote accessibility via your smartphone.

Another benefit of using an electronic lock is that you only need one security code. Use the same code for every door in your home. Plus, you never need to worry about losing your key or whether someone is going to find the spare key you carefully placed under your doormat or potted plant.

Match the Lock According to your Preferences

As you can see, purchasing the right door locks for your doors is a personal choice based on a variety of factors. Choose the type of door lock that fits in with your way of life. Select a durable lock offering the optimum security features you require in order to have complete peace of mind. Remember that a door lock is not just a lock. A door lock keeps your family safe and makes you feel secure. Whether you buy dead bolts requiring keys or electronic locks is a personal choice. Lock your door with the best locks that meet with your budget and security expectations. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/door-security/locks-ec0e/

Locking Security Mailboxes

The many benefits of vandal proof locking security mailboxes – Some may argue about whether or not crime has really gotten worse in recent years. Even if crime has not worsened, it has definitely grown more sophisticated. Identity theft accounts for millions of dollars in losses for financial institutions and their customers. There is absolutely no skill needed for a criminal to take stuff from an unsecured mailbox, and the potential loss to a homeowner can be devastating. Click here for the Top 10 Best Locking Security Mailboxes.

Table of Contents

• Guarantees that your mail stays secure
• Security features
• Preventing identity theft
• Deterring Stalkers
• Making life hard for juvenile delinquents
• Solution to a host of problems

Guarantees that your mail stays secure

Why would a homeowner invest in a sophisticated home security system guaranteed to stop an army of trained ninja’s, yet leave twenty thousand dollars sitting unprotected in a box in their front yard. This is what you may be doing by using a standard letter box.

Homeowners and criminals see the world through a different set of eyes. To the home owner, their mailbox was chosen because its design complimented the style of the home, and it was positioned by the curb in order to better accommodate the mail carrier.

When a thief looks at your mailbox, he sees a fortune in blank checks, credit card applications and statements, possibly bank statements. Every day, we leave our mail sitting unprotected in our mailboxes. This leaves us vulnerable to dangers such as, vandalism, identity theft, and even stalkers.

Security features

There are two main differences between a Vandal proof mailbox and a standard model. First let’s start with its heavy-gauge shell, that can be constructed with up to a quarter-inch of steel. Compared to this, your average mailbox may as well be made out of aluminum foil.

Your standard letter box is not designed to withstand a hit from a baseball bat. They are mainly constructed of a thin gauge steel and are designed primarily to keep your mail safe from the elements not criminals. With its heavy-gauge steel frame, a locking security mailbox is more than a match for anything your local hoodlums can throw at it.

The addition of a locking mechanism is the second feature that separates vandal proof mailboxes from the standard type. The locks used will range from inexpensive models designed to deter mail tampering up to robust high-security pick proof locks that will defeat a determined thief. It really does not matter what type of lock is used, just having a mailbox that can be secured, will make you more protected than 99% of the homeowners out there.

Preventing identity theft

Imagine someone being able to steal ten thousand dollars from you without ever having to enter your home. Most if not all of the information an identity thief needs is right there in your unsecured mailbox. Whether it is a pre approved credit card, or personal information necessary to open a line of credit, identity thieves know that it can all be found in your mailbox.

Some clever criminals will even use your mailing address to receive replacement documents that can then be used to forge your identity and open lines of credit. Most of these types of theft could be prevented if you were to simply secure your mail.

Deterring Stalkers

Information is the food a stalker feeds on and it all can be found in abundance in your mailbox. If a potential stalker were to follow you home, they would know nothing about you, other than your home address.

What if they could go through your mail. What could they learn? They could find your mobile phone number, your place of employment, your banking information, your spending habits from your credit cards. They could even determine if you are in a relationship based on any personal correspondences they may come across. The amount of things that can be unearthed and used against you is amazing.

Making life hard for juvenile delinquents

Every Friday and Saturday night other wise normally law-abiding young men and women, practice the sport known as mailbox bashing. Basically, they drive through neighborhoods, baseball bat in hand, smashing letter boxes positioned close to the curb.

With these reinforced locking security mailboxes, you can rest assured that the next time your local juvenile delinquents decide to use your mail box for batting practice, they will probably be doing more damage to themselves than to your property.

I am sure that you receive financial statements and letters of a personal, or sensitive nature on a regular basis. How would you react to having this information strewn across your neighbors yard for them to find? This is what can occur when a mailbox is vandalized.

Most would assume that the worst part of having your mailbox vandalized is the cost of having it replaced or having your mail destroyed due to explosives being placed in the box. I would have to disagree.

It would bother me more to have my personal letters, confidential medical and financial information in the hands of a neighbor, that I may or may not be on good terms with. A security mailbox will make sure that this never occurs.

Solution to a host of problems

locking mailboxes are the solution to all the vulnerabilities mentioned above. They are created using extra strong heavy-duty steel that is more than a match for anyone swinging a baseball bat. The New York Yankees starting lineup would have no chance against these reinforced mailboxes. Anyone with an opposable thumb and the desire to do so can open a standard mail box. Having a locking mailbox eliminates the issue of theft, or your important mail being destroyed by vandals placing explosives inside of them.

On these secure mailboxes, the letter slot is locked. The mail carrier can deposit any standard-sized letter via a horizontal slit in the mail box. For larger deliveries, they can be keyed so that the mail carrier has access and can open the main body and place larger sized packages.

We live in the information age, unfortunately so do criminals. All information both personal and private needs to be protected as you would be any other thing of value in your home. You would buy a safe to protect your money and jewelry from theft; you should do the same for your personal information. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/door-security/mailbox-a884/

Outdoor Security Lighting

Motion activated outdoor security lights are lights that turn on automatically the moment they detect motion within its sensor range. This particular type of security lighting is beneficial compared to non-motion lights. This type of lighting acts as a perfect solution for bright illumination that is required at home or businesses.

The mount design is easy and attractive, and hence ideal for both home and business use. The user will rest comfortably knowing the motion light will snap with the slightest movement within an angle of 180 degrees. The use of technologically advanced LED light designs the energy consumed is less, this motion activated security lights are listed and star rated. Click here for the Top 10 Best Outdoor Security Lights.

Table of Contents

• How Motion activated security lights Work
• Use of Motion Activated Security lights for Security
• Advantages of Motion Activated Security Lights
• Disadvantages of Motion Activated Security Lights

How Motion activated security lights Work

Motion activated security lights have motion sensors that are able to detect movement, then turns the lights on as the object detected comes closer to the target area. The lights are used together with photocells for other exterior applications. This photocell will prevent the light from coming on during daytime regardless of motion detected in the area. The motion sensor will also prevent the light from lighting continuously at night.

The units get activated at night and it will greet a person with light as the person enters the driveway, entry areas or walkways. The lights are turned off the moment motion has not been detected for a set time period, this is usually between 3 to 10 minutes.

There is motion activated security lights that allow the user to adjust timing periods and the sensitivity to motion. The features are available with incandescent bulbs that include standard floor lights and halogens that are suited for this application even though they are not that efficient.

Use of Motion Activated Security lights for Security

The primary reason for buying motion activated security lights is to have security at home or within a business entity. The number one deterrent to crime is light and a monitoring light is intelligent and it goes ahead to give the appearance of startled home or business owner turning on the lights for the purpose of investigating what is going on outside.

Motion activated security lights have patent like features such as wireless command, CreepZone, DualBrite, among others, these features provide convenience and additional security.

Advantages of Motion Activated Security Lights

Continence is one benefit of the motion activated security lights, whether a person is working outside at night, having a late night BBQ or need lights to see steps in order to avoid falling, it is useful to have motion activated security lights.

There are times when constant light is needed for security purposes, motion activated lights are enabled with manual override mode that allows the lights to function as switched-controlled lights for constant lighting.

Darkness acts as a great cover for a person that would be a burglar, when this person approaches a dark home, the person intends not to be detected.

The person will approach a business premise of a house looking for any easy method to use in order to gain entry. The intruder will step into the detector range in the lawn – Bamm! – The motion light will be kicked on and the yard will be flooded with light.

According to the intruder’s perspective, it will not matter whether premise or home owner has turned on the lights from the switch inside, or the light went on automatically from the motion sensor. The intruder would not want anything to do with this house, and hence turns and runs away.

Disadvantages of Motion Activated Security Lights

Motion sensor security lights are designed to deter an intruder with bad intentions and are close to the house of business premise. There are circumstances when the bright light can shine through the windows of other neighboring houses or buildings when activated and this will wake up people that are asleep.

The other setback of motion activated security light is that they lack control over the light with motion detection. Whenever the sensor is sensitive, activation of luminaire is possible by a neighbor or an animal such as a dog that walks down the sidewalk. At the same time, it is impossible to control the duration of the light when you are outside, this means you have to walk within the sensor area when restarting the light. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/security-lighting/motion-a007/

Fireproof Safes

Fireproof Safes – When you choose a safe, you are attempting to protect something of value from either theft or loss due to fire. Most models on the market will usually offer some protection from both threats, but depending on your situation you may opt to invest in a model that covers only one of these threats.

Most fire-proof safes are actually only fire resistant, just how resistant they are is determined by how long they can protect a flammable material like paper from burning. Without proper protection, paper documents will start to become charred and burn at temperature of around 400 degrees Fahrenheit; this is without the material coming into contact with the actual fire. Click here for the Top 10 Best Fireproof Home Safes.

The goal of a fire-resistant safe is to maintain an interior temperature of less than 350 degrees Fahrenheit. What makes one model more expensive, or effective than another is how long it can maintain this critical internal temperature in relation to the exterior temperature. An example would be two fireproof safes that are able to maintain an internal temperature of 350 degrees, with an exterior temp of 1400 degrees. The first safe is only able to do this for a half an hour; the second can do it for over an hour and therefore, will be more expensive.

When comparing different models never take into account any claims by the manufacturer, always look for the independent ratings done by Underwriters Laboratories.

Table of Contents

• UL 150 media safes
• What about security ratings

UL 150 media safes

There is a misconception that a fireproof safe will be able to protect anything placed inside from fire damage for the length of time it is rated for. The rating given for most fireproof safes is based on their ability to protect paper products only. In order to protect items like digital media, flash drives or memory cards, you need to look for a safe that has a more stringent UL 150 rating. While a temperature of 350 degrees will not burn paper products, it is more than enough to destroy a flash drive.

A UL 150 rating simply means that your safe can maintain an internal temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit, rather than the 350 that is common in most fireproof safes.

What about security ratings

If you only plan on storing financial documents and items of sentimental value, why bother getting a safe with a burglary rating, or going through the hassle of securing it to the floor.

When a burglar finds a safe in your home, they are automatically going to assume that there must be cash and jewelry stored inside. They will either attempt to open it there on scene, or if this proves too difficult, they will simply take the entire safe with them when they leave.

Just because your documents may have no value to a burglar, does not make them worthless. You need to take the same precautions that you would when securing money or jewelry.

Make sure that the safe you are considering has at least a minimum security rating, and that it is bolted to the floor, shelf or wall.

No one ever really plans on having a house fire, but they do happen. As a responsible home owner, you have an obligation to take proactive measures to protect yourself in the event the unthinkable ever happens. We buy home security systems to protect our homes, invest in a fireproof safe to protect the irreplaceable items within your home. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/safes/fireproof-9bed/

Fire Blankets

Fires that start in homes have the potential to cause significant damage to both property and life. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments responded to an estimated 385,000 residential fires between 2011 and 2015 in the U.S., resulting in 2,510 fatalities and 12,300 injuries each year.

The NFPA reports that seven people in the U.S. die in house fires every day. Because of the risks of fires, it is important for people to implement fire safety measures. People should practice with their families for what to do if a fire breaks out, and they should also make certain that they have fire blankets in their homes so that they can quickly put out small fires when they break out. Click here for the Top 10 Best Fire Blankets.

Table of Contents

• So What Are Fire Blankets
• How do They work
• Do They replace fire extinguishers
• Why homeowners need fire blankets
• Proper Fire Blanket Use
• Placement and storage
• What to look for when buying
• Summary

So What Are Fire Blankets

Fire blankets are fire safety aids that are flame retardant and can be used to smother fires. They may be made from several different substances that resist fires. In homes, fire blankets are often made out of fiberglass or kevlar.

Fire blankets that are used in industrial settings are often made from treated wool. They normally include two outer layers of fiberglass, wool or kevlar with a film that is fire retardant in between. These blankets are often stored in quick-release containers so that people can grab them when fires start.

How do They work

In order to grow and spread, fires need to have heat, fuel and an oxidizing agent such as oxygen. Fire blankets that are thrown on incipient fires help to put the fires out by cutting off the oxygen that feeds them. To completely smother a fire, it is important that the fire blanket is placed over it in the correct manner. Ideally, the blanket should be placed in such a way that it completely covers the fire to put it out. Fire blankets are also excellent to use when people have clothing that begins to catch fire. The blankets can be wrapped around the person to put out the flames. Finally, if people need to escape a home with a larger fire, they can wrap themselves in the fire blankets to minimize the potential burns and heat as they exit their homes.

Do They replace fire extinguishers

Fire blankets are not a replacement for fire extinguishers, but they complement them. The blankets may be much simpler for people who are unfamiliar with fire extinguishers to use correctly. Water fire extinguishers should also never be used on fires that are feeding on flammable liquids such as gasoline or oil or on electrical fires. When water is sprayed on a flammable liquid fire, the burning liquid may splatter out and spread the fire. Electrical fires that are sprayed with water from a fire extinguisher may electrocute people because the water conducts electricity.

Fire blankets can be used to smother both flammable liquid and electrical fires. For this reason, it is a good idea for people to keep fire blankets in their kitchens instead of fire extinguishers because of the potential for grease and electrical fires around the stove and oven. Fire extinguishers may be placed elsewhere in the home for additional protection.

Why homeowners need fire blankets

Fire blankets are one of several pieces of important fire safety equipment. These blankets are good for homeowners to have in their homes because they are easy to use and can quickly smother fires before they grow and spread. Using fire blankets correctly requires almost no training, and they can be used to put out many different types of fires. Fire blankets also can be used to keep people safer from burns when they are trying to get out of homes that have major fires. Family members can wrap themselves up in the blankets so that they can get out with fewer burns and injuries caused by heat exposure. In addition to fire blankets and extinguishers, people should also have smoke detectors installed throughout their homes.

Proper Fire Blanket Use

Fire blankets come in quick-release PVC containers with pull-down straps on the bottom. When a fire starts, people should pull down on the straps, which will release the fire blankets. They should then take the blanket and place it over the fire to completely cover it. It is important for people to make sure to protect their hands from the flames while they are placing the blankets over the fire. The blankets should be kept in place over the fire for approximately 15 minutes, and people should turn off any source of heat that is feeding the fire such as the stove or oven.

If people’s clothing catches fire, they can grab the fire blanket and enwrap themselves to smother the flames. Others who are nearby when a person’s clothing catches fire can likewise wrap the person in a fire blanket. In a major fire, people can completely cover their bodies with fire blankets so that they can safely exit their homes.

Placement and storage

Fire blankets should be placed in the kitchen near the stove and oven. If a cooking fire starts, then a fire blanket that is placed nearby can be quickly accessed and used. It is also a good idea to have a fire blanket in the garage. Garage fires are the second most common behind fires that start in the kitchen. Finally, people should consider installing fire blankets nears the exits of each room so that people who might be trapped by a major fire can wrap themselves in the blankets and get out of the house. The containers that the blankets come in can be anchored to the wall so that they are out of the way and easily accessible.

What to look for when buying

When people are looking for fire blankets to purchase, it is important that they understand what to look for. The blankets should be certified to ASTM F1989-05 standards for cooking fires at a minimum in the U.S. In the U.K., people should look for fire blankets that have Kitemark certifications. In the E.U., people should look for fire blankets with the CE mark. All of these certifications indicate that the blankets have been tested and comply with the required standards. People should also look to make certain that the blankets that they are considering are certified to BS EN 1869:1997 standards.

People should also look for fire blankets that are made out of fiberglass fabric or kevlar fabric for home use. Fire blankets are available in several sizes. Smaller fire blankets are okay for extinguishing fires that happen in waste bins and other contained areas. For people who want fire blankets that are large enough to put out fires on adults’ clothing, they should choose the largest fire blankets that are available. The blankets range in size from 1.1 x 1.1 meters up to 1.8 x 1.8 meters.

Because of the global economy, it is easy for people to purchase fire blankets online from manufacturers that are located overseas. It is important for consumers to make certain that they are dealing with reputable companies and that the blankets are certified and have been tested.

Summary

For fire safety, homeowners should make certain that their families are prepared in case a fire ever breaks out in their homes. In addition to practicing emergency exits from homes, they should also make certain that they have proper fire safety equipment in their homes, including fire blankets. Fire blankets can help to smother a fire before it has a chance to grow and spread.

They leave much less mess than fire extinguishers and are easy for anyone to use. Fire blankets may also help to prevent substantial property damage and burn injuries when fires start. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/fire-safety/blanket/

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers provide a prompt and effective response to an emergency, and they create peace of mind as well. The sense of security that they offer may instill confidence that a rapid, defensive act can protect a home from peril. A dangerous intrusion that disrupts the sanctity of your home, fire requires an immediacy that allows no time for delay.

The preservation of the quiet enjoyment of a safe and protected home welcomes family and friends, and safety measures can help ensure it. With the ability to save lives and property, fire extinguishers deserve a place in every home. Click here for the Top 10 Best Fire Extinguishers.

Table of Contents

• Controlling Combustion
• Matching Extinguisher to Class of Fire
• Choosing the Right Size Fire Extinguisher
• Guidelines for Fire Extinguisher Placement
• Learning How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
• Refilling and Recharging Your Fire Extinguisher
• Checking on Fire Extinguisher Pricing
• Ensuring Performance with Inspection
• Some Final Thoughts

Controlling Combustion

Different types of fire extinguishers provide an effective defense against fires that start in organics such as wood and paper, and they can control others that originate in cooking oils, flammable liquids or gases and metals. The components that must interact at the same time to start a fire include fuel, heat and oxygen, the same elements that create internal combustion in a car or lawnmower engine.

A significant difference lies in the confines and control that an internal combustion engine provides but which homes cannot offer. Five main types of extinguishers can shut down a fire by suppressing at least one of the contributing components.

Water Based – For use on paper and wood, plastics, coal, rubber and soft materials, the water extinguisher suppresses a fire by saturating its fuel. Not recommended for putting out fires that originate in cooking oils, flammable liquids or metals, the jet or spray nozzle delivers only water. However, some types may contain additives that give it more suppressive power.

Spray – An effective suppressant for fabric, coal, paper, plastic or wood, the water spray extinguisher produces a fine spray over a broader area than a jet nozzle provides. Some models may contain surface-active agents that increase the solubility of the water.

Mist – By using a unique type of nozzle, a water mist extinguisher sprays microscopic particles that deplete the oxygen supply and suffocate a fire. It has an added benefit of producing a wall of mist that helps shield the user against the heat.

Foams – Highly effective on wood, paper and cardboard, fabrics, coal and plastics, the foam extinguisher blankets the fuel that feeds the fire and cools it. The foam can extinguish the fire on burning petroleum products or paint, but it does not work well on kitchen fires or flammable metals.

Dry Powder – A versatile extinguisher, the dry powder model can help suppress fires that start in wood and coal, cardboard and paper, fabrics, flammable liquids, metals and even electrical equipment. Not recommended for enclosed spaces such as kitchens with cooking fires, the dry powder may create problems if inhaled.

Wet Chemical – A multipurpose device, the wet chemical extinguisher can suppress fires from cooking fats and oils as well as organics such as paper, wood and cardboard, fabrics and coal. The quelling effect that it produces results from separating the fuel from its oxygen supply.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – With the primary purpose of suppressing electrical fires, the carbon dioxide extinguisher provides effective control of burning alcohol, solvents, flammable gases, tar, petroleum grease and oil-based paints. The carbon dioxide contents exercise suppression by suffocating the fire and displacing the oxygen that feeds it.

Matching Extinguisher to Class of Fire

Experts who study the properties of fire scientifically assign a classification to provide access to knowledge about the best way to control it. Each type of fire extinguisher has a unique design that contains contents that can suppress fire in the materials in the different classes. A large and visible letter on the side of the extinguisher clearly shows which type of fire its contents can suppress.

• Class A

Combustible materials in Class A fires include fabrics, wood and paper, rubber, cardboard and some plastics. Water can extinguish fires by cooling the fuel that feeds them, producing ashes when the embers burn out.

• Class B

A difference between fuels that feed Class B fires defines flammable liquids as those that can burn at room temperature and combustible liquids that require heat for ignition. Suppression of fires in solvents, oil-based paints, tars, oils, grease and alcohol requires a foam barrier that separates them from the oxygen that powers them.

• Class C

Capable of suppressing fires in Class A and B, the Class C extinguishers involve electrical equipment. A conductor of electricity, water poses hazards in some Class C fires.

• Class D

Fires that involve combustible metals reach extremely high flame temperatures, and water can make them burn hotter or even explode.

• Class K

While cooking appliances and combustible oils create the highest incidence of residential fires, the most common type of fire extinguisher does not provide the best way to suppress them. Class K suppresses the most common type of residential fire.

Choosing the Right Size Fire Extinguisher

The experienced professionals on This Old House recommend different weights of extinguisher that can accommodate needs in the areas where fires most often occur. A garage or home workshop needs a canister with 10 pounds of content to handle a fire that may not attract attention immediately. Kitchens and laundry rooms need a five-pound extinguisher that lets anyone grab and use it with ease. A two-pound disposable model mounted in the trunk of a car can handle roadside emergencies.

Guidelines for Fire Extinguisher Placement

Your kitchen needs access to a fire extinguisher within seconds because of the likelihood of cooking fires, and other areas have an equally important reason to have one as well. Fires in master bedrooms often occur at night, making it a trap that offers no escape route. Each floor of a home needs at least one, and every bedroom needs one. Laundry rooms can pose a risk if the dryer exhaust and lint tubes contain particles that can catch fire, making access to an extinguisher essential.

In your garage or workshop, cans of gas or paint can become explosive when a spark reaches them, and power tools can provide it. Open grilling on your patio or burning wood at your hearth offers companionship and enjoyment, but they require the presence of an extinguisher if they send sparks flying. Utility rooms often receive only a limited amount of traffic, but an electrical panel, water heater, furnace or other equipment in them may need an extinguisher on quick notice.

Learning How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends using “PASS” to remember the proper way to use a fire extinguisher.

• P stands for pulling the pin. Point the nozzle away from your body and release the locking device.

• A reminds you to aim low. You want the contents to hit the base of the fire.

• S means to squeeze the lever slowly, and the release of contents works better if you hold it steady.

• S stands for sweeping the nozzle from one side of the fire to another.

Refilling and Recharging Your Fire Extinguisher

Easy access to your extinguisher makes it a vital part of your home safety program, and you can help ensure it by removing any obstacles that may slow your progress in reaching it. Routine maintenance after each use contributes to safety as well. Choose an extinguisher that shows you the level of pressure on a gauge to make sure that it does not get too high or too low. The working parts must remain in excellent working condition without showing any signs of damage, rust or dents.

A clean extinguisher works efficiently and gives a pleasant appearance in your home without any grease, dust or oil on its exterior. It requires your attention at least occasionally to shake it every month or to get a pressure test every few years. Local fire stations can refill or recharge your fire extinguisher or recommend someone who can, and it may cost $20 or less.

Checking on Fire Extinguisher Pricing

Prices vary according to the use that you intend for your extinguisher. A single-use model costs less than $20, and one that you can use for multiple events costs up to $75. Single-use devices for your car or kitchen may require up to $20. You may expect to spend up to $800 for an extinguisher that can put out Class A, B, C and D fires with extra strength.

Ensuring Performance with Inspection

Fire extinguishers need an annual inspection to make sure that they have the recommended pressure, a full level of extinguishing agent and all external parts in working order. Maintenance after six years requires the removal of all contents. Disassembly of the components allows for cleaning, lubrication or replacement of defective parts.

Refilling and recharging complete the inspection. In a 12-year maintenance routine, hydrostatic testing confirms the ability of an extinguisher to hold pressure safely. The hydrostatic test adds a step to the requirements of the 6-year inspection at the 12-year interval.

Some Final Thoughts

The second week of October is National Fire Prevention Week, but home fire safety should be a family affair year-round. Get everyone together, and go over your fire emergency strategies. Explain safe fire extinguisher operation to older children. Make sure they understand different extinguisher classifications and types of fires. Get the younger kids involved in developing exit plans and practicing evacuation drills.

Make family fire safety a routine by holding your home fire prevention meetings several times a year. If the worst should ever happen, you know everyone in the house is prepared to react as quickly and safely as possible.

You can pick up a good fire extinguisher at most home improvement centers, but do a little research before you head out. Check online reviews, and compare more than prices. You want the extinguisher types and models that best suit your house and lifestyle. It’s always easier to make the best decision when you have all the information. Now that we’ve sorted out the details, you can choose with confidence knowing you’re keeping your home and family a little safer. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/fire-safety/extinguishers-4172/

Smoke Detectors

If you own a home, then fire safety should be one of your top concerns. Every year in the United States, home fires cause more than $7 billion dollars in damage and result in the deaths or injuries of thousands of people. Most of these deaths occur in homes where there are no smoke detectors.

To preserve life and minimize damage during a fire, installing the right smoke detectors is one of the most important steps you can take. Before you buy smoke detectors, however, you want to make sure that you know the various facts about these devices that will help you select the best detectors for your specific needs. Click here for the Top 10 Best Smoke Detectors.

Table of Contents

• Smoke Detectors and Their Sensors
• Photoelectric sensors
• Ionization sensors
• Dual-sensor smoke detectors
• Battery-Operated vs. Hardwired Smoke Detectors
• Interconnected Smoke Detectors
• Combination Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
• Where to Place Smoke Detectors
• Testing and Maintaining Your Smoke Detectors
• Some Final Thoughts

Smoke Detectors and Their Sensors

Smoke detectors recognize the presence of smoke in a room and then sound an alarm to alert the people in the home that there is a fire. They do so because they feature sensors that trigger the alarm when smoke is detected. There are three basic kinds of sensors found in the smoke detectors on the market today.

Photoelectric sensors

These models use light and a light-sensitive sensor in order to detect smoke. In smoke detectors with photoelectric sensors, a beam of light is constantly projected in such a way that it normally misses the photoelectric sensor. When smoke is created in a room and enters the smoke detector, it causes the beam of light to scatter and to hit the sensor, triggering the alarm. These types of smoke detectors are the quickest to respond to slow-burn, smoldering fires that have not yet burst into flames, which means that they can pick up on fires that are present in a space but that have not yet produced much heat and light.

Ionization sensors

Ionization smoke detectors employ trace amounts of a radioactive element known as Americium-241 to create a small electric current in the smoke detector. When smoke enters the detector, it interrupts this current, and that triggers the alarm. These kinds of smoke detectors are the quickest to signal the presence of a fast-burning fire.

Dual-sensor smoke detectors

These include both a photoelectric sensor and ionization sensor, though sometimes one of these sensors is more sensitive than the other to the presence of smoke.

Given that different kinds of fires may break out in your home, most experts recommend that you install smoke detectors with both types of smoke sensors throughout your residence or that you choose to install dual-sensor smoke alarms. When you have both types of sensors in your residence, then a number of different fires can be detected quickly, improving overall fire safety.

Battery-Operated vs. Hardwired Smoke Detectors

In addition to featuring different types of sensors, smoke detectors also can be powered by different power sources. Essentially, homeowners can choose between battery-operated and hardwired smoke detectors, and each type offers its own advantages and disadvantages.

Battery-operated smoke detectors are powered by a battery, and they are the easiest smoke detectors to install yourself. You can purchase them at any hardware store, and they can be mounted to the surface of your choice within minutes. As far as disadvantages, homeowners must be particularly vigilant to regularly replace the batteries in battery-operated smoke detectors. After all, the smoke detectors will not work once the batteries lose power. Remembering to change the batteries can be a bit of a challenge, but many newer battery-operated smoke detectors make this easier by emitting a chirping sound whenever the batteries need to be replaced.

Note also that some battery-powered smoke detectors come with batteries that cannot be replaced. These types of smoke detectors can last up to ten years before the battery ceases to function. If the low-battery alarm sounds in one of these types of detectors, it must be replaced immediately. You will have to purchase a new detector, remove the old one, and install the new one in its place.

Hardwired smoke detectors are wired directly into the home’s power system and are powered by the same electricity that powers the rest of the home. The obvious advantage of hardwired detectors is that they do not rely on batteries that must be replaced in order for the smoke sensors to continue working; rather, they continue to function as long as power to the house is working. Hardwired smoke detectors, however, are not entirely battery free, for they often feature a back-up battery that keeps the detectors operational if the power goes out. These batteries may need periodic replacement as well, but they do not usually need to be replaced as often as the batteries in battery-powered detectors.

Interconnected Smoke Detectors

Besides choosing the type of power source and sensors you want for your smoke detectors, you will also have the option of choosing interconnected detectors or detectors that are not interconnected. Interconnected smoke detectors are linked together via a cable or wireless technology such that when one of them goes off, all of them go off. This means that if a fire starts in one room, you will hear about it right away even if you are in a different room because the detector in the room with the fire will signal all of the other detectors in the home to alarm. This is a great safety feature, for it allows you to put out the fire or get out of the home long before the fire spreads to wherever you and your family happen to be.

Traditionally, only hardwired smoke detectors could be interconnected, but the advent and development of wireless technology means that today you can find battery-powered smoke detectors that can be interconnected. If you do not choose interconnected smoke detectors, the detectors you install will alarm only if there is smoke in the room where the detector is installed. A kitchen fire, for example, will signal only the kitchen detector to alarm and not the detectors elsewhere in the home.

Due to their added safety, interconnected smoke detectors are often recommended by fire safety experts, but homeowners should know that hardwired interconnected smoke detectors should be replaced about every ten years. Interconnected smoke detectors can also be more expensive than non-interconnected detectors, but it is better to choose non-interconnected detectors over no detectors at all if your budget will not allow for the interconnected option.

Combination Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The smoke produced by a fire is readily recognizable to our five senses, but traditional smoke is not the only fire-related danger that people can face in the home. Carbon monoxide is also a problem. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas produced by incomplete fuel combustion. Most people are probably aware that carbon monoxide is a byproduct of gas-powered automobiles, but many home appliances can produce carbon monoxide as well. Non-electric water heaters, furnaces, clothes dryers, and other appliances give off carbon monoxide when they are not working properly, and this gas can build up in a home and put lives at risk.

Since carbon monoxide is odorless, the best way to recognize its presence before harm occurs is through the use of a carbon monoxide alarm. Carbon monoxide alarms can be purchased independently of smoke detectors, but there are smoke detectors on the market today that also include carbon monoxide detectors as well. Thus, a combination smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector will be doubly effective at keeping you and your loved ones safe in your home.

The Minnesota Department of Health reports that more than 400 people die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning in the home. Thus, carbon monoxide is nothing to be cavalier about. It is particularly important to make sure you have good carbon monoxide detectors in your home if you live in a colder climate and must frequently run a non-electric-powered furnace or heater. Purchasing smoke detectors that include carbon monoxide detectors is a good way to make sure you and your family are kept safe from fires and the gases they may emit.

Where to Place Smoke Detectors

In order to get the best protection from your smoke detectors, you must not only purchase the best type of detectors for your home, but you must also place them in the right locations so that you will be signaled in the event of a fire. Most fire safety professionals recommend the following guidelines:

• Since most deaths by fires in the home occur at night, you should place a smoke detector in every bedroom.

• In a multi-level home, you should have at least one smoke detector on every floor that does not have a bedroom.

• Place a smoke detector in your kitchen, but keep it at least 10 feet away from your stove and oven so that it is not frequently triggered by normal cooking.

• Do not place smoke detectors too close to windows or other places where a draft might enter a room and keep smoke away from the detector.

• Install smoke alarms on ceilings or high on the walls. If you install a smoke alarm on a wall, make sure that they are located not more than one foot away from the ceiling. In rooms with a pitched ceiling, keep the alarm within three feet of the apex of the ceiling but not within the four inches closest to the peak.

• Do not paint or otherwise decorate your smoke alarms.

After you place your smoke detectors, you may find that one or more of them goes off regularly even when no fire is present. When a detector is frequently sounding a false alarm, you will want to move it to another location in the room. It is going off frequently because a draft or something else in its present location is interfering with its proper operation.

Testing and Maintaining Your Smoke Detectors

You want to make sure that your smoke detectors will sound when there is an actual fire in your home, and the only way to ensure that will happen is to regularly test and maintain your detectors. Fortunately, testing and maintaining your detectors is not difficult.

First, you want to make sure that your smoke detectors remain free of dust and other particles that can interfere with their ability to detect smoke and fires. To do this, you simply need to periodically clean your smoke detectors. Use the upholstery wand of a vacuum cleaner to vacuum the intake openings on your detectors. This should be done at least twice a year in order to keep things in good working order.

Second, test your smoke detectors on a monthly basis by pressing the “test” button on each detector. If the detector sounds an alarm when you press the button, then it is working fine. If not, you will need to replace the battery in the detector or perhaps even the detector itself.

Third, establish a schedule for regular battery replacement, if applicable. You should change batteries on an annual basis, so pick a day that will be easy for you to remember. A holiday, the day you set your clocks for Daylight Savings Time, a birthday—it does not matter what day you choose, just make sure it is the same day or roughly the same day every year.

Some Final Thoughts

Finally, it is wise to make sure that many people in the home know where the detectors are located and how to maintain and test them. When others take responsibility for maintaining and testing the detectors as well, the odds are much greater that these necessary steps will not be missed and that your home will not end up with inoperable detectors that cannot warn you of the presence of a fire. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/fire-safety/smoke-5d75/

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide has the well-deserved reputation as being a silent killer. It is usually generated when fuels burn incompletely, allowing the lethal gas to escape into the air, and its lack of color, scent or taste makes it almost impossible to notice without a carbon dioxide detector. Natural gas and heating oil, wood and coal, gasoline, kerosene and propane that provide fuel for cars and trucks, fireplaces and furnaces, grills, lanterns and gas ranges can produce fatal doses of carbon monoxide.

The Centers for Disease Control cites carbon monoxide poison as the cause of 430 potentially avoidable deaths in the U.S. each year and calls it the “leading cause of unintentional poisoning deaths.” Statistics show that the death rate among men is more than three times greater than that for women. Fatalities among the elderly occur four to five times as often than deaths in the under age 25 population. Click here for the Top 10 Best Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

Table of Contents

• How Carbon Monoxide Detectors Protect Us
• Smoke Alarms vs Carbon Monoxide Detectors
• The Different Types of CO Detectors
• Combination Smoke and CO
• Digital Read-out Detectors
• Hardwired CO Detectors
• Battery-Operated Carbon Monoxide Detectors
• AC Plug-in Models
• Types of CO Sensor Technology
• Biomimetic
• Metal Oxide Semiconductor
• Electrochemical
• Placing Detectors within the Home
• Testing and Maintaining CO Detectors
• Final Thoughts

How Carbon Monoxide Detectors Protect Us

Most models on the market utilize an electrochemical sensor to detect the presence of the poison gas, according to cnet, and they rely on chemical changes to trigger an alert. A reaction creates a small current that allows the detector to measure the amount of the poison in the air. When the level reaches more than 400 parts per million (ppm), the sensor sounds an alarm.

Carbon monoxide detectors protect around the clock when they have central locations on every level of a home, near sleeping areas and any place where local codes require them. They provide the most effective defense with interconnectivity that makes all of them sound an alert when any one of them does. The National Fire Protection Association advises moving to a fresh air location as soon as an alarm sounds while making sure to account for every person.

Smoke Alarms vs Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Devices that create alerts for smoke or carbon monoxide may look about the same, but they provide entirely different kinds of protection. They usually have a flat and circular plastic case that mounts on a wall or ceiling. The significant difference between them is that smoke detectors react to a fire while the devices that detect carbon monoxide respond to the incomplete combustion of liquid and solid fuels. Smoke often creates a noticeable odor or a haze, but carbon monoxide never does neither.

The Different Types of CO Detectors

Manufacturers produce five kinds of carbon monoxide detectors with features and capabilities that distinguish them.

Combination Smoke and CO

UK Business Forums points out that a combination alarm offers convenience and protection from two “deadly threats in one unit.” Combination units save space and prevent the need to mount two devices that serve different purposes. While the appearance of dual detectors may not have an impact on a home’s décor, homeowners may prefer to minimize the presence of functional devices that have no decorative purpose. The maintenance of a combination detector requires half as much time for installation and for checking the batteries. Owners can save on an investment in home safety by choosing a dual-purpose device that serves two purposes. The Cost Helper website, cites the average price range for a stand-alone carbon monoxide detector at $20-$50, an amount that overlaps with the price for a combo unit at $40-$80. Shoppers can probably find both types for a little less or quite a lot more online or at a home improvement store.

Digital Read-out Detectors

A digital display provides access to information about the presence or absence of carbon monoxide levels in a home. Some devices refresh the data at periodic intervals of seconds to reassure homeowners of air that contains no carbon monoxide. The display may present the data in a variety of ways, giving shoppers a choice of methods to receive essential health information. Some models may indicate the concentration of CO in ppm while others produce a readout that resembles a stock ticker and provides a timeline history of the hazard.

An advantage of digital display detectors is the ease of reading the status of air quality even in low-light conditions. An LED backlight on some models facilitates visual assessment, and some detectors use the digital space to spell GAS. Most have an LED indicator that confirms an operational status for the device. The displays may show the data in red or black that can alert a homeowner to the need to vacate and find a fresh air location. Some models use red to indicate an alarm status and green for normal conditions.

Hardwired CO Detectors

A hardwired detector has a permanent mounting that requires installation by a licensed professional. The units may provide a more reliable capability of detection than battery-operated devices can produce, and they offer other advantages as well. Maintenance free, their permanent installation allows them to use a home’s electrical system for power, eliminating the need to test or replace batteries. Their hardwiring may provide a more accurate reading, and a purge/reset function contributes to reliability.

A safety feature that can compensate for a homeowner’s inability to observe the unit for signs of danger, an automatic emergency phone call to police or fire stations help increase the functionality of hardwired detectors. Medical professionals cite the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning as a headache, drowsiness, confusion and poor coordination among others. A hardwired system can offer essential alerts to first responders when it provides information about the location where a problem may exist.

Battery-Operated Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Several advantages of the battery-operated carbon monoxide detector can make it the choice of safety conscious homeowners, but it may have a disadvantage as well. Units that use battery power do not need hardwiring or access to an electrical outlet, making it convenient to put them anywhere except in front of a fan. When a battery runs low, the unit emits a beep that alerts a homeowner to the need to replace it.

A distinct disadvantage occurs if the weak battery dies before the owner can replace it. Wise Geek points out that a severe health threat can happen when the battery cannot produce sufficient power to allow the system to detect poisonous gas. A regular pattern of battery replacement that coincides with the time changes can help ensure an uninterrupted performance by battery-operated detectors. The power from a 9V replaceable battery lets the units require no installation and the ability to continue to work during power outages.

AC Plug-in Models

Advanced technology in AC plug-in models allows homeowners to install them in a standard wall outlet. The location of outlets near the floor for practical as well as aesthetic reasons may not work as well as other devices that usually work best a little higher on a wall. Most models have a 9-volt battery backup that ensures uninterrupted performance during the loss of power. Plug-in detectors usually last for up to 10 years using the electric power from the outlet, and they reset after they detect carbon monoxide in the air, according to Do-It-Yourself.

Types of CO Sensor Technology

Each carbon monoxide detector uses a sensor that receives a signal from a small microchip when the poison gas reaches a dangerous level, according to How Stuff Works. The purpose of the CO sensor is to identify and measure the amount of gas concentration in the air, according to Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards. The noise alert that the sensor causes the detector to emit is about 85 decibels, about midway between a vacuum cleaner that produces 70 decibels and the 100 that a chainsaw creates. Three types of sensors offer various ways to achieve the essential goal of issuing an alert about dangerous air quality.

Biomimetic

With the information that nature provides, scientists developed biomimetic sensor technology to reproduce the reaction that CO produces on blood hemoglobin. Mimicking the environment, it creates a change in color of a gel inside the detector as it absorbs carbon monoxide. The design includes another sensor that notes the color change and sends a prompt to the processor to initiate the alarm. A biomimetic sensor needs replacing after it changes color.

Metal Oxide Semiconductor

When CO contacts the circuits on a silica chip in a metal oxide semiconductor, it lowers the electrical resistance. The processor performs its purpose of detecting the change in air quality and enables the alarm to create a sound. Sensors of this type require a significant amount of electricity that works more efficiently as plug-in models that get it from wall outlets instead of batteries.

Electrochemical

With a resemblance to the metal oxide semiconductor detector, the electrochemical sensor relies on electrical current to determine the presence of carbon monoxide. It uses electrodes in a chemical solution to produce the response instead of an integrated chip. In professional sensing equipment, the electrochemical instant detection and response (IDR) devices can deliver instantaneous detection of dangerous levels of CO.

Placing Detectors within the Home

An understanding of the importance of the placement of carbon monoxide detectors in a home may depend on an appreciation of the power of carbon monoxide to kill. The risk of unintentional death from breathing carbon monoxide makes the placement of detectors at critical locations in a home a matter of great significance. The density of carbon monoxide makes it somewhat lighter than air, but it mixes in instead of rising like heat or smoke.

States issue regulations that govern CO detectors, and the National Conference of State Legislatures publishes a list of states that have statutes requiring them in private dwellings. The Safety website recommends installing the CO alarms at about knee to chest level for single function detectors to approximate the height of a sleeping person. However, combo units that detect smoke need a location near the ceiling. Carbon monoxide detectors require a clear space around them where furniture or drapery cannot restrict the air flow. Protection from the effects of the deadly gas requires detectors on all levels of a home, including the basement, and at these strategic locations:

• near the entrance to each bedroom or at a central location for all of them

• kitchen

• living/dining room

• office

• laundry rooms that have a gas dryer

• garage

• any other place where a solid fuel-fired appliance can produce carbon monoxide

Testing and Maintaining CO Detectors

The permanence of hardwired detection systems makes them maintenance free as well as tamper resistant. They do not need a periodic change or testing of batteries, and they usually last for several years with little or no requirement for service. Battery powered detectors need monthly testing and fresh batteries each year, but homeowners may choose a regular interval that coincides with the time change to avoid a lapse in coverage.

Plug-in detectors require weekly testing to make sure that the alarm sounds. Any unit that does not respond to testing needs immediate replacement. Dust on the cover of a plug-in detector can interfere with the ability of the unit to detect the gas. A vacuum provides the best way to clean the detector, and the unit requires another test afterward.

Final Thoughts

Find out the laws in your area for detectors, and be sure that you exceed expectations. Always keep all detectors up-to-date and replace defective devices. Be cautious rather than fearful. Protect yourself and your family. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/fire-safety/carbon-monoxide-detector/

Fire Escape Ladders

Experts warn that you might have less than four minutes to safely exit your home if building materials or belongings catch fire. It may become difficult to leave if you’re on the second or third floor when this happens. Fortunately, portable fire-escape ladders can greatly increase the likelihood of survival. A rapid departure minimizes smoke inhalation and allows firefighters to focus on extinguishing the blaze.

If you decide to purchase this equipment, be sure to select a product carefully. Don’t sacrifice crucial safety features to save a few dollars. Try to choose a model with a design that will let you attach, deploy and use it as quickly as possible. It’s also important to ensure that a ladder will fit the desired window and permit you to reach the ground without falling more than a couple of feet. Click here for the Top 10 Best Fire Escape Ladders.

Table of Contents

• Choosing The Right Size Ladder
• Required Weight Capacity
• Some Important Safety Features
• Materials Used In Construction
• ASTM Certification
• Manufacturers Warranties
• Placement Within The Home
• Ease of Use
• Reusable vs One Time Use Models
• Practice Using Your Escape Ladder

Choosing The Right Size Ladder

Manufacturers design most portable ladders for windows on a home’s second or third floor. Nonetheless, you can also find longer models that allow people to escape from buildings up to six stories tall. Actual lengths vary; one major brand’s two-story ladders measure 13 feet long, and another company sells 15-foot units. Two extra feet might seem insignificant, but a slightly taller model could prevent kids or elderly residents from suffering injuries.

Carefully measure windows before purchasing this device. Check the package or product description for details on the minimum and maximum dimensions. Some models only attach to windows that measure up to 11 or 14 inches deep. The window’s width also holds importance. For instance, one popular brand sells two portable escape ladders that fit windows measuring a minimum of 16 inches wide.

Required Weight Capacity

Most models support up to 1,000 pounds. Some fairly expensive units can handle slightly more weight. On the other hand, the capacity of each rung varies to a greater degree. It ranges from about 375 to 750 pounds. Look for a comparatively high limit if several people might need to escape at the same time or you have a family member who weighs over 375 pounds.

Some Important Safety Features

Two important features can prevent falls and help you reach the ground more swiftly. Choose a ladder with rectangular or textured anti-slip rungs. Some basic units only have round metal rungs with slippery, uncomfortable surfaces. This flaw can make it difficult to practice using a ladder. Keep in mind that you might not be wearing shoes when you need to escape from your house.

It’s best to select a product with stabilizers or standoffs. Manufacturers use these two words interchangeably. This feature creates a space between the rungs and your home’s siding. Consequently, there’s extra room for your feet and the ladder becomes more stable. Standoffs could also prevent you from accidentally damaging glass or siding as you practice using this equipment.

Materials Used In Construction

When they manufacture these ladders, most companies use steel and nylon or another kind of plastic. A few brands have replaced steel with aluminum. This metal weighs relatively little, so it’s easier for children to lift and deploy the equipment. It also reduces the cost of shipping these products. On the other hand, steel resists heat and flames with greater success than aluminum.

ASTM Certification

Consider buying a model that meets or exceeds the ASTM F2175 standard. Well-made units qualify for this certification if they comply with 17 requirements established by the American Society for Testing and Materials. For instance, certified products have properly spaced and adequately thick rungs. They also meet criteria regarding heat resistance, weight capacity, stability and deployment speed. The federal government doesn’t require escape ladder manufacturers to follow this standard.

Manufacturers Warranties

A long-term guarantee could help you save money if this product fails prematurely. Numerous portable ladders come with warranties that remain in effect for five, six or 10 years. Some brands provide lifetime guarantees. Single-use models and poorly designed units tend to include shorter warranties. The prosperity and longevity of a manufacturer hold importance as well. You can’t return a faulty product after the company ceases to exist.

Placement Within The Home

To maximize safety, put these ladders in all rooms above the first story. Prioritize the bedrooms; it will probably take you longer to react to a fire if you’re sleeping. Always keep a portable ladder in an uncluttered area near your window. Don’t store it next to an appliance, heater or lamp. Some people conserve space by putting this equipment under their beds.

You might want to buy several ladders if your second floor contains multiple bedrooms and a home office or exercise room. Unfortunately, stores normally don’t sell packages of two or more units. If you want to cut costs, try to find a store coupon that offers “$20 off $100” or a similar discount. You may also minimize any shipping costs by ordering multiple products at the same time.

Ease of Use

It’s crucial to be able to rapidly deploy a ladder without becoming confused. Don’t assume that you’ll instantly understand how to use this equipment when you have it in your hands. If you can find a product’s instructions on the internet, take the time to read them before making a purchase. Count the number of steps and assess their complexity. Do the directions seem clear and specific? It’s best if instruction sheets provide both pictures and text.

People find some models much easier to use than others. Don’t forget to read several reviews of each product. Avoid ladders that tangle easily, have confusing setup procedures or occupy too much storage space. Some units have unnecessarily complex hooks. You may need to re-read the directions and practice repeatedly before you can successfully mount them on a windowsill.

The weight and dimensions of a portable ladder also affect its ease of use. Most models weigh 6 to 21 pounds. Strong, healthy adults probably don’t need to worry about this factor. However, a frail senior or young child may find it difficult to deploy a bulky unit that weighs 18 pounds. A person might not survive if he or she has to wait for assistance or struggle to move a ladder in smoky conditions.

Reusable vs One Time Use Models

You can reuse most portable ladders. On the other hand, a few models are disposable; you may only deploy them once. They cost less than half as much as high-quality reusable products. Nevertheless, the savings become negligible if you need to buy replacements because of a small fire. Keep in mind that you might not be able to recover reusable ladders after a major blaze. Either way, the expense is often insignificant in comparison to other fire-related losses.

Practice Using Your Escape Ladder

It’s wise to practice using your new escape ladder. Remember to thoroughly read the instructions before taking action. The biggest downside of a disposable product is that you can’t fully test the equipment or use it to practice climbing. However, you may prepare for an emergency by temporarily attaching the hooks to a windowsill. Be careful not to release the ladder.

If you purchase a reusable unit, you can practice deploying it, climbing through the window and descending to the ground. You may have difficulty at first; it’s harder to use than a traditional ladder. Beware of any strings or wires near the window. Teach family members to set up and climb down the ladder as well. Consider using a first-story window for your initial practice session, especially if you have children.

It’s crucial to select an easy-to-use product with suitable dimensions. You may achieve better results if you also choose a reusable ladder that meets the ASTM F2175 standard, includes a long-lasting warranty and has anti-slip rungs with standoffs. The weight capacity is only important for some families. After you acquire this equipment, careful practice and proper placement are vital to success. Read More https://homesafetydot.com/fire-safety/ladders-8d2e/