At Home Fire Safety

Carbon Monoxide:

It is important that your home is equipped with working carbon monoxide detectors.   Carbon Monoxide detectors save lives.    The LBFD has run into a number of carbon monoxide calls in the past few years that have experienced elevated levels of carbon monoxide that are harmful to humans.   Some of the key sources of carbon monoxide in a home include:

·       Clothes dryers

·       Water heaters

·       Furnaces or boilers

·       Fireplaces, both gas and wood burning

·       Gas stoves and ovens

·       Motor vehicles (especially in attached garages)

·       Grills, generators, power tools, lawn equipment

·       Wood stoves

·       Tobacco smoke

Note that golf cart batteries(during charging cycles) have also triggered some carbon monoxide alarms.  While carbon monoxide is not emitted, hydrogen is emitted, causing many similar symptoms. 

See the following article as a reference:  https://www.firehouse.com/rescue/article/10518243/the-unexpected-golf-cart-hazard#:~:text=Lead%20acid%20batteries%20do%20not%20emit%20carbon%20monoxide.&text=The%20amounts%20of%20hydrogen%20gas,Thus%20the%20alarm.

Some other helpful references:

https://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_sensor

Smoke Alarms:

It is important that you install smoke alarms in your home. It is recommended that you install smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.  On levels without bedrooms, install alarms in the living room (Den/Family room), or near the stairway to the upper level or in both locations. Smoke alarms should be tested at least monthly and batteries should be replaced once or twice a year. 

Here are a few helpful reference sites regarding smoke alarms.    

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Safety-equipment/Smoke-alarms/Installing-and-maintaining-smoke-alarms#:~:text=Install%20smoke%20alarms%20inside%20each,level%2C%20or%20in%20both%20locations.

https://www.safety.com/smoke-detector-placement/

Heading out of town? Do you have a keyholder?  

Often, the LBFD is called to homes for fire alarms when residents are not home.  In order for LBFD to safely assess the situation, we need to get inside the home to check the house for signs of smoke/fire.   Oftentimes, a neighbor is able to provide access with a key.  In the event that you have not equipped a neighbor with access to your home, you may want to consider alternatives. One of these is to use a Knox Box:  https://www.knoxbox.com/Products/Residential-KnoxBoxes

Our preference is not to break glass to access a home, but this may be required in the event that we have no access to an active fire alarm situation. 

Visible Address Markers:

Please insure that your house is easily identifiable by first responders and fire fighters.  We recommend having address numbers prominently displayed on the front of your house and visible from the street.  While many have mailboxes marked, there are many mailboxes that are not directly in front of the house.  Not having your house clearly marked could delay a response as the team tries to locate the house.   Thanks for your consideration of this important safety measure. 

Surge Protector and Power Strip Safety:

Every year, thousands of fires result from surge protectors, power strips and electrical cords. Below is an article from the Yale University Fire Marshal outlining safety tips.