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Greetings

This month’s Spotlight Home Inspection Newsletter is all about emergences.  Most of us understand the importance of planning ahead for emergencies, however many times we could do a much better job of it.  This month I challenge you to get prepared. 

At my home inspections, we review how to turn off the gas, electric and water.  Additionally, we cover important safety devices such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets, hand rails and environmental concerns.  As the saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  A house that was professionally inspected and had the safety concerns addressed is a much safer house.  Here are my top four safety tips read below. 

Sincerely,

Bill Dare
Spotlight Home Inspection

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

¤   At the top of the list are smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Did you know that smoke detectors should be replaced after 10 years?  On the top of your smoke detector, look for the manufacture’s date.  For older homes without hardwired interconnected smoke detectors, Kiddie, a manufacture of smoke detectors, has introduced a new wireless smoke detector that eliminates the need for wires but still triggers all the detectors in a home if there is a fire.& I think this is a great improvement over standalone models.    Click to visit Kiddie’s Website

¤   Next, I recommend each home is equipped with at least one fire extinguisher.  The U.S. Fire Administration [USFA] estimates that in this country there were 185,600 structural fires related to cooking, causing 80 deaths and 3,875 injuries (2002 data).  They recommend an extinguisher on each floor of the home and the garage in plain view.  The USFA also accredits candles with 23,600 fires annually with 165 fatalities and 1,525 injuries.    Read More: USFA paper on Cooking Fires [pdf]

¤   Fire drills.  If there are children in your home, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA) states that a child under five is twice as likely to die in a fire as the rest of us.  Determine the best route for your children to get out of the house in a fire, particularly their bedroom.  Practice that route with them.  Determine a safe place to meet outside the home, such as a neighbor’s house or a swing set.  Rehearse fire drills to ensure your children have this crucial knowledge. 
Read More: USFA Child Fire Safety Campaign

¤   As many of you know, I give each one of my clients a copy of a "HOME SYSTEMS GUIDE" by Tom Feiza.  Mr. Fix-It also publishes some of the best tips on homes and their systems that I have seen.  His "In Case of Emergency" tip sheet has instructions and diagrams depicting important shut off valves and switches in the home, as well as important ingredients for an emergency toolbox. 

In addition to this newsletter, subscribers to the Spotlight Home Inspection newsletter received a copy of Mr. Fix-It’s "In Case of Emergency" tip sheet.  Sign-up for the Spotlight Home Inspection’s newsletter or Contact Bill and have future editions delivered directly to your inbox!