Over the years, Manitowoc area residents have seen numerous instances of fire and destruction. Sometimes, it is simply not possible to avoid these situations. But in some cases, the extent of the damage could have been lessened or avoided by being better prepared.
At Gutman Insurance, we want you to help you minimize your risks at home and at work. Therefore, we are suggesting three things that you can do today, to mitigate your risk.
Install Fire and Smoke Alarms in Your Home
You cannot always prevent a fire, but you can act fast when one occurs. To do this, you need effective smoke and fire alarms in your home. What do we mean by effective? Here are some rules to follow:
- Be sure you have enough smoke alarms in your home. You should check them every month to ensure the batteries are working, replace batteries at least one time every year, and replace the entire device every ten years.
- Be sure you do not have an older or recalled model. Check to be sure your alarms are not affected by the recent Kidde recall.
- Consider a connected system where the individual fire alarms can communicate to each other. A connected system (including one with your smart home setup), is an excellent investment.
Invest in Fire Extinguishers
When a fire does occur, you need to be able to find a fire extinguisher quickly and know how to use it.
- Invest in the right kind of fire extinguishers. Numerous types exist. Most homes need a Class ABC extinguisher capable of putting out paper, plastic, electrical, and chemical fires. Check out OSHA’s recommendations here.
- If you do have a fire extinguisher, be sure it is fully charged, inspected, and not affected by the Kidde recall.
- Learn how to use them. Every person in your family needs to learn how to operate a fire extinguisher. You can find classes at your local fire department (in some cases), but you can also learn more at OSHA’s website.
#3: Carbon Monoxide Protection in Homes
This is a threat present in every one of our homes, and yet many people do not know about it. Carbon monoxide comes from the exhaust of various appliances and heating and cooling systems. It has no scent or color. It is hard to detect without help. Yet, it can kill a family while they sleep. Here’s how to protect your family:
- Learn about carbon monoxide and how to detect it. The CDC offers some insight.
- Have a licensed technician inspect each one of your appliances and HVAC system to ensure they are working properly.
- And, be sure to invest in a CO2 alarm. Place them near your fire alarms for the best overall function. They work to alert you when this risk is present.
It takes just these steps to ensure your home is protected from some of the biggest risks we’ve seen. Let our home insurance agents know what steps you’ve taken to improve the safety of your home. It can be life-saving!
