One minute or less...
...is all the time you may have to escape a fire in your home. Schlage, which is dedicated to keeping homes and families safe, sound and secure, and I ask: "Do you have a smoke alarm?" It can double your chances of escaping death. Home smoke detectors have cut fire fatalities in half since they came on the market in the early 1970s.
- If you don't have a smoke alarm, get one or as many as you need -- today.
- Never deactivate them while cooking.
- Exit the building when the alarm sounds.
- Then stay out. (Have a post-escape family meeting place pre-determined.)
- From a neighbor's house call 9-1-1.
The Importance of Drills
- Practice drills during less-than-desirable times: in the middle of the night, in very cold weather, etc., as well as under more ideal circumstances.
- Tweak the plan as necessary. Who may be capable of actually sleeping through the alarm? This should be addressed. Make sure that an escape plan is in place for physically disabled occupants, babies and pets.
- Purchas a folding ladder in case an escape through an upper window is necessary.
- Every month (or at least every 6), clean dust from the alarms and push the test button.
- Never paint the alarm.
- Change the batteries every time you change your clocks.
An alarm that's over 10 years old needs to be replaced. If you're not sure how old they are, replace them.
Leave Quickly
Some door handles are fussy when you try and open them. Make sure your home is equipped with door handles that unlock then the door is opened from the inside, like the Schlage F51A. This lock allows homeowners to leave quickly and conveniently in an emergency.
Robert Siciliano home security expert to Schlage discussinghome security and identity theft on TBS Movie and a Makeover. Disclosures. For Roberts FREE ebook text- SECURE Your@emailaddress -to 411247.