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How A Home Fire System Could Save Your Family
Home fire alarm systems help protect your home and they could save your life. Fires can start in unexpected places and spread quickly. Studies show you may have as little as two minutes to evacuate before smoke and flames compromise the structure of your home.
Locations Where Fires Typically Start in Homes
Kitchen
Half of all fires begin here, where the majority of cooking occurs in a home. The most
frequent time for fires to start is at 5-8 pm in the evening, when you’re rushing to put dinner on
the table and not paying attention to that pot roast burning in the oven or a towel dangling too
close to a gas burner.
Bedroom
A surprising number of fires start here, where plush mattresses and luxurious fabrics
may make perfect fodder for a spreading fire. Common culprits include space heaters too close
to curtains or electrical equipment with frayed wires.
Living Room
These common areas are often the location of an unexpected fire. A faulty
Christmas tree light or electronic device sometimes can ignite and cause a house fire. Leaving
burning cigarettes unattended or candles only require a spark to set you house ablaze.
Laundry Room or Basement
Any large appliances that involve heat can be a fire hazard, and
your dryer and furnace are no exceptions. Overflowing lint traps, fraying cords, and other
dangers in utility areas are often the cause of significant fire damage.
Outside
As you might expect, a significant portion of fires begin outside the home when grills,
fireworks, or intentionally set brush fires get out of control.
Statistics show a house fire related fatality occurs every seven seconds and 60% of all deaths from
residential fires occur in homes without functioning smoke alarms.
Tips for Fire Safety
To prevent fires in the home and keep your family safe, we recommend taking the following steps.
Install Smoke Detectors
Having an early warning can be vital to evacuating your family safely. We recommend installing a smoke detector on every level and in every room of your home.
Keep Fire Extinguishers on Hand
These detectors are wired into your electrical grid instead of using batteries so that even if you fail to check them regularly, they’ll still be fully powered and functioning.
Develop a Fire Emergency Plan
Ensure all the members of your family are clear about what to do when a smoke detector goes off. Pay special attention that children understand the basics of fire safety and know how to evacuate safely and that you have a plan for who will help household pets escape the flames.
Install Stairs on the Second Floor
For bedrooms on upper levels, it’s vital that there be a second escape route. Install stairs on the second
floor off a patio and make sure your family utilizes this emergency exit to evacuate quickly in the event
of a fire.
System Components
While a fire system can have many components, American Alarm Systems focuses on the following detectors that integrate into our residential security systems for optimal early warning and detecting.
Smoke Detectors
One of the most vital parts of any home fire suppression system is a smoke detector. At American Alarm Systems, the detectors we install not only alert homeowners to increasing levels of smoke, but are also able to sound the alarm and prompt emergency response in the event of a fire. Our smoke detectors are integrated into the control panel so that whether you’re at home or away, your smoke alarm is being monitored at our central station. In the event of a triggered smoke alarm, emergency services will be dispatched to your residence.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
We recommend that homeowners compliment smoke detectors with carbon monoxide detectors as part of a comprehensive home fire system. Carbon monoxide is often referred to as a “silent killer” because it doesn’t have a smell or color, but is still one of the most common causes of poisoning In America.
When something is burned, carbon monoxide is released. And while in outdoor spaces it just dissipates into the air, this deadly gas is life threating when present in smaller contained spaces in your home. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause symptoms of dizziness, nauseous, or headache that could be confused for a common illness. Over 400 people in America die every year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Common culprits can include running vehicles or improperly stored flammable chemicals.
Installing a detector can be a vital part of diagnosing the problem and providing early warning of poisoning, especially for children, pets, and the elderly who are more sensitive to the fumes. American Alarm Systems recommends putting a carbon monoxide detector outside every bedroom in your home, as well as kitchen, hallway, and basement areas. Once activated, our carbon monoxide detectors will notify you of any elevated carbon monoxide levels and central station can dispatch emergency services if required.
While a fire system can have many components, American Alarm Systems focuses on the following detectors that integrate into our residential security systems for optimal early warning and detecting.
Have Fire Drills
Hopefully, you’ve taken our advice and developed a fire safety and evacuation plan. Practice it frequently to ensure that when the smoke alarm sounds, everyone will know exactly how to get out of your home safely.
Contain or Extinguish the Fire
You know the drill. Attempt to extinguish smaller fires within reason, but don’t place your life at risk. Large amounts of smoke will overpower most people quickly, so it’s best to get out before your visibility is reduced.
Rescue People First, Pets Second
Pets will panic and you’ll waste valuable time finding them. Make sure you can get the people out safely, including yourself, and then focus on Fido.
Feel the Heat
If it’s hot to the touch, find another way out. An easy method to assess if the hall is safe is to feel your doorknob. Warm to the touch means danger lies that way and you should find another route to evacuate.
Take the Stairs
In an apartment building? Don’t get in the elevator. The stairs are your best bet for making it out safely.
Be Calm
This is pretty difficult advice to follow but having a level head in an emergency is important. Focus on thinking clearly and carefully about how to evacuate and then call emergency services. If you have a home fire system from American Alarm Systems, we’ve already done that part for you.
Don’t Go Back In
It might be tempting, but playing the hero can be deadly. Leave it to the professionals who are on their way to help. Stay back at least 75 feet or more until help arrives.
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History and Reputation
Owned and operated by the Beale family continuously since 1958, we have grown into a large, full-service security solutions provider with an excellent reputation. We service all of Southern California and beyond.
Commitment to Clients
We owe our longevity to our loyal clients. Our mantra is “treat every client as if they are our only client”. Because of this goal, we strive to exceed client expectations in every facet of our work.
Local Provider
We are your neighbor, which drives us to provide you with prompt service and security. We are familiar with the neighborhoods you live and work in because we are part of your community.
Superior Technology
Our UL central monitoring station is equipped with top-tier hardware, software, redundant dual coast communications, and is recognized as a leader in the security industry.