Tools to Keep You Safe

SMOKE ALARMS

Smoke AlarmWorking smoke alarms provide early warning of a possible fire and help save lives. According to a study conducted by the Building and Fire Research Laboratory, working smoke alarms alone in a home can decrease the chance of death in a fire by 63%. Smoke alarms should be checked, tested and cleaned regularly to ensure that they are working correctly.

For additional information, visit Smoke Alarms.

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

Carbon Monoxide is known as the silent killer because it is difficult to detect: it is odorless and colorless.
CO is produced by common household objects, including cars, portable generators, charcoal grills, wood-burning furnaces or fireplaces, gas-fired appliances and cars.

Some of the symptoms of CO exposure include headache, disorientation, dizziness, nausea and fatigue.
CO detectors are designed to sound BEFORE an average-sized, healthy adult would experience symptoms.

If your detector sounds and symptoms are not present:
  • Turn off all appliances and sources of combustion.
  • Ventilate the house by opening windows and doors.
  • Call 9-1-1 so that the fire department may respond and investigate.
If your detector sounds and symptoms are present:
  • Evacuate everyone from the home immediately.
  • Determine who is ill and what their symptoms are.
  • Call 9-1-1 and relay this information to the dispatcher.
  • Do NOT re-enter the home until the fire department says it is safe to do so.
  • Call a qualified professional to repair the source of the carbon monoxide.
New Jersey state law requires Carbon Monoxide detectors to be installed in the immediate vicinity of ALL sleeping areas within the home. Plug-in, battery powered or hard-wired types are all acceptable. Do NOT plug a detector into any outlet that can be turned off by a switch, or into outlets located against floor molding. 

For additional information or visit USFA Carbon Monoxide.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

 Fire Extinguisher 
To operate a fire extinguisher, follow the PASS system:

  • Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher
  • Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames
  • Squeeze the lever slowly to discharge the extinguishing agent
  • Sweep the base of the fire from side to side until it is completely out.

Remember to keep a safe distance from the fire and slowly move closer as the fire begins to diminish.

For additional information, visit USFA Fire Extinguisher.

HOME SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Sprinkler systems extinguish a fire, as opposed to warning occupants of a fire, as fire alarms do. According to a study conducted by the Building and Fire Research Laboratory, the chances of dying in a fire decreased by 67% in homes with fire sprinklers installed. When sprinklers AND smoke alarms were both installed in a home, those chances decreased by 82%.

For additional information, visit USFA Home Fire Sprinkler Systems.