The Top Home Fire Safety Prevention Tips

August 23rd, 2010 by Kelly  |  No Comments

You may be surprised to find out that more than 3000 people die in home fires every single year. The sad part is that many of these deaths could have been prevented. There are easy fire safety prevention tips that can be used in a home to prevent fires from happening in the first place. To make sure that you prepare your household, here is a look at some of the top home fire safety prevention tips.

Fire Safety Tip #1 – Have a Plan of Escape

One of the most important tips you must remember is to have a plan of escape in case there is a fire in your home. While you want to do everything possible to avoid a fire in the first place, a fire could still occur and you must be prepared. Draw a good escape plan up together as a family and make sure you discuss it. You should make sure that there are a couple escape routes for each room in the home and make sure that all household members know the basic procedures for fire safety. Investing in a fire escape ladder to go through a window or balcony may also be wise. Talk about the importance of crawling below the smoke, checking for heat at doors before they are opened, and ensure that everyone is aware of the fastest way out of the home, no matter where they are in the home. Go over this plan a couple times each year and have drills too.

Fire Safety Tip #2 – Install Quality Smoke Detectors

Another great fire safety tip for your home is to install quality smoke detectors. This is the best weapon against a death from fire. Many of the deaths that occur in home fires have occurred because the home did not have smoke detectors that were working. Every floor in your home should have a couple of smoke detectors and they should be near bedrooms so you wake up in the night if a fire occurs. Batteries should be changed yearly and every 10 years you should install new smoke detectors in the home.

Fire Safety Tip #3 – Don’t Be Careless

A very simple tip to remember for home fire safety is to avoid being careless. Many fires are caused simply because a homeowner got careless. For example, you shouldn’t be smoking while you are in bed. Avoid overloading the electrical outlets in your home. Keep space heaters away from anything flammable. All of these things are simple and easy to remember. Avoid the carelessness that can lead to a fire and to death.

Fire Safety Tip #4 – Have a Few Fire Extinguishers in the Home

Having a few fire extinguishers in the home is another great fire safety tip. This is important so you can avoid allowing a small fire turn into a big one that totally destroys your home. You definitely want to have one on hand in the kitchen, where many home fires start. Have them in other places throughout the home and ensure that they work as well. Check the expiration dates and replace extinguishers when you need to.

Fire Safety Tip #5 – Teach Your Kids About Fire Safety

Last, you need to teach your kids about fire safety too. Teach them that fire is dangerous. You would be surprised at the number of fires that are set in homes because kids are playing with fire. Let your kids know that this is dangerous and make sure they know that playing with fire is not acceptable. Teach them important safety tips as well so you can avoid a fire set by a child.

Get Fit With Your Dog

August 23rd, 2010 by Kelly  |  No Comments

Dog is human’s best friend according to most pet lovers and it is true they offer companionship and joy to their owners. However, did you know they could provide the motivation to get physically fit as well? There are several ways you can get fit while caring for your beloved canine and below are some of the most common exercises you can do with your pet in tow.

Pre Exercise Considerations

The first thing you must know about exercising with your dog is that not all breeds are suited to heavy exercise. Short-nosed breeds such as the pug may have very difficult time breathing when they are under exertion.  Even if you do not have a susceptible breed, you should take them to the veterinarian for a checkup before starting any canine exercise program. You also need to take into consideration the climate. Do you live in a cold area? For dogs that have short hair, it might be wise to dress your pup in dog sweaters or coats so they don’t get chilly during your outdoor activities.

Walking

One of the best exercises for human and dog alike is walking. Dogs of all sizes require regular exercise and if you lack in the yard area you will need to get on a regular walking schedule. Walking is such a great exercise because anyone can do it regardless of fitness level and even a moderate amount of walking can help you lose weight and feel great.

Jogging

If you are in a bit better shape, you can always jog with your pet. People who live in larger cities find this to be helpful for several reasons. Not only do they have a companion for their workout but a potential protector as well. Even if you have a dog that wouldn’t do much more than lick someone to death the presence of a noisy dog can be a deterrent to a would be criminal. It is important that your dog be obedient if you are going to take them walking or jogging with you, they should know the basic commands of heel, sit and stay even if you never plan on taking them off the leash.

Gradual Increase

Just as you would with yourself, you need to carefully increase your dog’s physical activity. When a dog has set around the house eating kibble for the last couple of years they will need some time to become adjusted to getting their heart rate up.

Conclusion

You can exercise with your dog in many ways there may even become a time when you can bike along with your pet, but this is an activity that should  be reserved for those who are in good shape, both pet and owner. Remember the key to making exercise with your dog work well is to take your time, enjoy yourself and stay hydrated both you and your pet.

Children and Fireplace Safety

August 23rd, 2010 by Kelly  |  No Comments

When you are designing your garden you want to know that every aspect of it is safe for your children this will include the pool areas and patio areas. Often you will have some form of fire place or barbecue area in your garden and this need to be safe for your children to be around. Children are naturally curious and they will explore things even when they aren’t meant to. By ensuring that every member of the family understands fireplace safety then your whole family will be kept safe.

As you begin to entertain in your garden you will want people to stay longer and having a fireplace in the garden is an ideal way to entertain. You will need to show fireplace safety for outdoor fireplaces, including electric fireplaces which still produce heat just like standard fire places, just as you would with an indoor one. Ensuring that there is a screen to keep the children away from the front of the fireplace is essential and this screen will also stop any flames coming out. The screen will also stop your child from throwing things onto the fire that shouldn’t be in there.

You should ensure that an adult is near the fire at all times this will help to stop any wandering children getting too close. You want everyone to have a good time and although children will always be curious of fireplaces and fires, with an adult supervising it they can ensure there are no injuries. If possible you should try and have your fireplace installed where the children aren’t playing.

Having a designated area for the cooking and fireplace will ensure that while the children are playing these areas will have adults in them. You should never leave a fireplace unattended even for a small amount of time as this can cause accidents. The area around your fireplace should be free of clutter and debris so that nothing can catch fire or be thrown into the fire. You should keep all fuels and lighting materials away from the fireplace to stop any chance of it igniting.

You should also have a fire extinguisher nearby to ensure that if there is a point when you feel the fire is out of control then you can deal with it. You should try to ensure that you keep your fireplace at a manageable level at all times. There is no need for a towering inferno and a warm glow would be more effective. Teaching your children from a young age safety around fires will ensure that they understand how to act around fires. There are great things you need to teach them about the dangers of fireplaces and what they can do if they play badly around them.

Educating your children is essential and will ensure that they understand where they can and can’t play in your garden. If they understand this then you can have many successful parties and events without any problems or accidents. Your children will grow up with fireplace safety in their minds and they can then go on to give their children the same advice.

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