Does your family know what to do when a fire occurs? Is your home set up with the latest technology in safety? Here are our suggestions on how to make your home a smart home to prevent fires before they occur, and tips to create and implement an emergency evacuation plan.
Install smart devices in your home
Smart devices such as carbon monoxide detectors, smoke alarms, and flood sensors, among others, save lives. They go above and beyond standard alarm systems, with real-time mobile alerts and smart home integration—ensuring your loved ones and residence are always protected.
- Smart smoke detectors can provide you with alarm notifications on your smartphone. They can also be wired into your home security system and monitored by a central station to alert you and the fire department of an alarm.
When they detect the presence of smoke particles in the air, they can be arranged to shut down your air handling systems to help prevent the spread of smoke while people safely evacuate the home. Some systems can also turn on lights and offer spoken directions about what to do in case of a fire.
- A smart heat detector helps detect fires without frequent false alarms. There are generally two types of heat detectors – simple fixed temperature detectors that alarm at a factory pre-set temperature, and rate-of-rise detectors that alarm when a rapid rise in temperature is detected.
Many heat detectors have both capabilities built into them. A lot of these systems can be interconnected, so if a detector goes off in one area of your property, all of the alarms will sound.
- Smart batteries can power your existing detectors and provide you with alarm notifications on your smartphone. You can monitor more than one detector in your home, plus receive a notification to replace your battery before it starts to chirp.
Smart stovetop protection uses motion sensing technology specifically designed to automatically shut off the stove. If the sensor detects that you have left the kitchen, it begins a countdown to shut off the stove. When you return to check on the stove, it automatically restarts the countdown.
Cooking fires are the leading cause of home structure fires, and the leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking, according to the NFPA.
- Smart plugs, also known as smart outlets, can provide peace of mind if you wonder whether you remembered to unplug the coffee pot or the iron before you left home. From an app on your smartphone, you can turn lights and small appliances on and off. Some models automatically turn off power to your appliances when they are not needed.
Create an escape plan
Once you have a fire escape plan in place, set a meeting with your family members to discuss it and pick two places to meet: a spot outside your home and a location away from your neighborhood (in case you can’t return home). Make a list of contacts and choose one family member or friend as an out-of-state “family check-in contact” to call if the family gets separated.
Implement your plan
Here are the most important features your plan should have:
- Post emergency telephone numbers by landline phones and make sure those numbers are in each family member’s cell phone.
- Install safety features in your house, such as the smart devices and sensors listed above.
- Inspect your home for potential hazards that can catch fire.
- As a family, learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid, how to use a fire extinguisher.
- Teach your children how and when to call 911.
Practice and maintain your plan
It may sound silly, but just like school drills, you should conduct family emergency drills to make sure everyone stays current with the fire evacuation plan. Quiz your family members on your two meeting places, important phone numbers, and safety rules. Test out your home smart devices and sensors according to manufacturer’s instructions.
ALE Solutions is the largest temporary housing provider in the nation. We’ve worked with thousands of policyholders displaced by fire-related home disasters. For more information, visit alesolutions.com
