On average in the state of Wisconsin, there are 6.4 deaths and 32.3 injuries for every 1,000 residential fires. As a homeowner, it’s crucial that you take the necessary steps to protect your home and family from possible fires. Not only can injuries and even death result, but serious fire and subsequent water damage could mean losing the place you call home.

Fortunately, there are three simple but impactful steps you can take to protect yourself. Read on to learn more.

Fire Safety Steps: How to Protect Your Home and Family from Fire

It’s frightening to even think about waking up to a fire in your house. But it does happen. Carrigan Insurance wants you and your family to be protected from fire and therefore advises purchasing the following safety items for your home.

Smoke Alarms

All fires produce smoke, which is exactly what smoke alarms are built to detect. Various types of smoke alarms exist, but currently, there are two main types. The first type is the standalone smoke alarm. This is a battery-operated model that is not connected to anything in your ceiling or walls. The next type is wired or connected to your home and is powered by electricity.

Professionals prefer the latter, connected type because they can link themselves to other alarms throughout your house to better alert you to a fire. They are also faster at alerting you to smoke and fire in general. Finally, there’s no risk of their batteries running out, making them useless.

Your house should have smoke alarms in the following places in your home:

• In every bedroom
• Outside of every sleeping area (in a hallway, for example)
• On every floor level

Make sure to change your smoke alarm batteries once a year and switch out each alarm entirely once every ten years.

RECALL NOTICE: The Kidde Dual-Sensor photoelectric and ionization smoke alarm (models PI2010 and PI9010) has been recalled. Check your alarms as soon as possible to ensure you don’t own this model.

Fire Extinguishers

Another key piece of safety equipment you must own is a fire extinguisher. See the various types here. All homes should have at least one portable fire extinguisher. It’s advised that you keep it in the kitchen in an easily accessible place (most home fires occur in the kitchen).

Not sure how to use a fire extinguisher? It may look easy in the movies, but it does take a bit of know-how, so be sure to become familiar with the instructions on the canister after you purchase one. In short, however, just remember the word PASS. This stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep. Perform these actions to get the extinguisher to work properly.

RECALL NOTICE: Certain Kidde fire extinguisher models were recently recalled. Make sure it’s not one of yours.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Lastly, all homes need to have a CO alarm. This alarm notifies you when it detects a poisonous gas called carbon monoxide or CO. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so it cannot be detected without an alarm.

Your CO alarm should be installed near where you sleep. Make sure to change its batteries at least twice per year — for example, once in the spring and once in the fall.  

Provide the Ultimate Home Protection with Homeowners Insurance

As stated, even small fires in the home can cause serious damage to walls, flooring, ceilings, and your foundation, and remedy these losses can cost thousands of dollars. To make sure this money doesn’t have to come out-of-pocket, consider purchasing or enhancing your homeowner’s insurance policy to make it work for you.

At Carrigan Insurance, we have years of experience providing quality insurance policies to our customers. If you are interested in learning more about homeowners insurance and the policies we have available, call or contact us online today to speak with one of our knowledgeable and friendly agents.