Home tips: Man the alarms: Fire prevention

Man the Alarms

The following guidelines are established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for the proper installation and testing of smoke alarms.

* Make sure the alarms you purchase are examined and tested by a qualified testing laboratory, which should be listed on the box. Install these devices on every level of your home-including the basement and in or near each sleeping area.

* Place ceiling-mounted alarms at least 4 inches away from the nearest wall. Also, wall-mounted alarms should be 4 to 12 inches away from the ceiling.

* Locate away from windows, outside doors, or air ducts where drafts might interfere with its operation.

* Test your smoke alarms at least once a month, and change the batteries once a year. To remember, select your birthday or a holiday to change the batteries.

To keep your home safe and merry, we've assembled some handy fire prevention tips.

Advice From a Firefighting Chimney Sweeper

Being both a professional firefighter and certified chimney sweep, Don Williamson knows all about home fire safety. In fact, his Chelsea, Alabama business, Clean Sweep Chimney Service, Inc., is even operated by firefighters. Don offers these timely tips developed from years of on-the-- job training.

* Inspecting and sweeping chimneys: Apart from the fact that the NFPA recommends a yearly chimney inspection, Don supports this maintenance measure for other reasons as well. "Chimney sweeping is a preventive service," he explains "Other than soot buildup, sweepers should look for water leaks, deterioration of bricks and mortar, animal nesting, and smoke problems."

* Chimney caps: Don states, "These devices are important because they prevent the metal components, such as dampers, from rusting by keeping out the rain. Generally made from three types of materials--galvanized metal for occasional wood fires or gas logs, durable stainless steel for those who bum a lot of firewood, and copper for a more custom look. Caps also deter animals from building nests in the chimney.

* Dampers: Don notes that they're designed to cut off the airflow between the inside and outside of your home, therefore saving you money on heating and cooling costs. A topmounted damper works best; it can serve as a cap when closed.

* Selecting and storing firewood: The ways in which you buy, store, and bum firewood will determine the frequency of sweeping needed. "Purchase firewood in the spring or early summer to give it plenty of drying time," states Don. He also stresses that wood should always be stored in a dry, covered area that has good air circulation and discourages mildew and pests.

* Gas starters and units: If you have a gas starter, Don notes that because you're burning wood, the same concerns of soot and smoke control still apply. "As with any gas appliance, it's important to have a carbon monoxide detector in the house," he says.

For chimney sweeping services, refer to your local Yellow Pages, or contact the Chimney Safety Institute ofAmerica; 1-800-536-0118 or www. csia.org. ROBERT MARTIN

Other Helpful Advice

Here are some pointers to help you activate a home fire prevention plan.

* If the windows or doors in your home have security bars, make sure that the bars have quick-release mechanisms that can be opened in an emergency.

* When using space heaters, set them at least 3 feet away from flammable items. Also, be sure to turn them off when leaving the room or going to bed.

* Never leave food cooking on the stove top unattended, and keep a close eye on an oven that's in use. Make sure all appliances are turned off and fireplace embers extinguished before leaving the house.

* Keep fire extinguishers in easily accessible spots in the kitchen, near the bedrooms, and in the garage. At a minimum, each extinguisher should be rated 1A and 10BC. Once a month, check the gauge for pressure loss.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Nov 2002
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