.::Home Safety::.

Acong · Post time 11-3-2004 09:45 AM

Home Safety

Index
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That's the thing about accidents, you never see them coming. Fortunately, safety experts do have an idea where we go wrong梐nd what we can do to keep our homes safe.

Fire
Advice on smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, home fire sprinklers, fire drills, and what to do in case of an actual fire.

Carbon Monoxide
Tips for reducing the risk of carbon monoxide in your home, as well purchasing, installing, testing, and maintaining a CO detector.

Slips and Falls
Useful tips to help prevent slips and falls in your home.

Electrical Safety
Avoid shocking experiences: Use extension cords safely, replace faulty receptacles, test your GFCIs, and learn about new AFCIs.

DIY Safety
A trip to the ER slows down your project even more than extra trips to the home center. Here's how to use ladders, lawn mowers, and tools safely.

Additional Resources

Acong · Post time 11-3-2004 09:49 AM

Fire

Smoke Alarms
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Features to look for
* Photoelectric, ionization, or both? Ionization models are good at detecting fires that burn fast and move quickly, like kitchen grease fires. Photoelectric models are good for detecting smoldering fires, such as those caused by a cigarette. You can choose to install both types, putting each in its best location, or choose a model that utilizes both ionization and photoelectric sensors.
* A silence or hush button so you can quickly silence false alarms caused by cooking smoke.
* Strobe lights and/or extra loud volume for the hearing impaired.
* Hardwired AC alarms with battery backup and an interconnectivity feature so that when one trips, all sound an alarm.

Where to install
* Install at least one smoke detector on each level of the house, including the basement.
* There must be one smoke alarm outside each sleeping area. Code for new home construction also requires a smoke alarm inside each bedroom梐nd that they all be hardwired.
* Place smoke detectors either on the ceiling at least 4" away from the wall, or high on the wall, 4

Acong · Post time 11-3-2004 09:54 AM

Fire Extinguishers
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What to buy
Know your ABCs to make sure you choose the right kind of fire extinguisher.

* Type A is for fighting fires involving paper, wood, fabric, or plastic.
* Type B is for fires involving grease and flammable liquids such as gas.
* Type C is for fires involving live electronics.
* Combination extinguishers make sense for most homes. Choose a B:C model for the kitchen and garage and an A:B:C model for use throughout the house.

How and when to use
* Only fight a small, contained fire and only if everybody else is out of the house, the fire department has been called, the fire is not spreading, and you have a clear path to a door behind you.
* Remember the acronym PASS, which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. You Pull the pin, Aim low at the base of the fire, Squeeze the trigger, and Sweep from side to side.
* Know that most home fire extinguishers empty quickly梩he small ones in as little as 10 seconds.
* If the fire starts to grow, get out immediately. Never think you can fight a spreading fire yourself.
* Non-refillable extinguishers are good for one use only, replace them after you use them. Remember to have a rechargeable unit refilled right away after you use it.

Testing an extinguisher
* Do not test a home extinguisher unless the manufacturer's instructions say otherwise. Squeezing the trigger for even a second releases some of the pressure.
* If you have never used a fire extinguisher, call your local fire department and ask them if they have a fire safety program you can take. If not, consider buying a fire extinguisher and using it just so you can see how it handles and how long it lasts.
* Refillable extinguishers have pressure gauges to tell you the pressure level. Some one-use models come with a pressure-check button.

Acong · Post time 11-3-2004 09:58 AM

Fire Drills
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Probably the single most important thing you can do to ensure the safety of your family in a fire is to have a good fire escape plan. Here are the elements to include:
* Map two escape routes from each room and make sure that each member of the family knows what they are.
* Provide emergency rope ladders for upstairs rooms.
* Establish a meeting spot outside the house.
* Make sure every member of the family knows what to do in case of fire.
* Hold a surprise fire drill for the entire family twice a year.

In Case of Fire
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* Get out, call the fire department from outside the home, and go to your meeting spot.
* Do not spend time in the house looking for pets or mementos. Do not go back into the house, not for any reason.
* Always feel a door for heat before opening it. If it's hot, don't open it. If it's cool, open it cautiously and be ready to slam it shut if flames or smoke billow in.
* If the house is really smoky, get down and crawl梩here's less smoke at floor level.
* Although it was once taught in school, do not stop for a wet rag梩hat's a waste of precious time. While a wet rag may make it more comfortable to breathe, it does nothing to filter out the gases that can kill you.
* If you are trapped, head for a room with a window, close all doors behind you, and jam a rug or bedding under the door and over all vents. Open the window梑e ready to close it if smoke from outside is coming in梐nd signal with a sheet or flashlight to let the firefighters know where you are.

Home Fire Sprinklers
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Home fire sprinklers are being required for new homes in more cities across the country, particularly for remote locations and for communities in fire-prone areas. Here are some facts you may not have known about residential sprinkler systems:
* Fire sprinklers save lives, reduce property loss, and may reduce homeowner insurance premiums.
* Home fire sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive on the scene.
* Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire. 90 percent of fires are contained by the operation of just one sprinkler.
* Nationally, on average, home fire sprinkler systems add 1 to 1.5 percent to the total building cost in new construction.
* Home fire sprinklers use only a fraction of the water used by fire department hoses.
* The odds of accidental sprinkler discharge due to manufacturing defect are 1 in 16 million.
* Modern residential sprinklers are inconspicuous and can be mounted flush with walls or ceilings.

Acong · Post time 11-3-2004 10:02 AM

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas created when combustion fuels梘asoline, natural gas, oil, propane, coal, wood, charcoal梑urn incompletely. Sources include furnaces, boilers, and space heaters, vehicles, gas ranges, gas water heaters, wood or gas fireplaces, and charcoal grills.

Reducing Risk
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* Have your heating appliances and fireplace checked annually.
* Never burn a charcoal grill indoors or in an attached garage, even with the door open.
* Avoid idling vehicles or running generators in an attached garage, even with the door open.
* Avoid using kerosene or gas space heaters in the home. If it's unavoidable, open a window while the heater is in use.
* Install CO detectors in your house.

CO Detectors
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Features to look for
* Continuous digital readout of the CO level
* Battery backup for plug-in AC models
* Distinct alarms for low-level and high-level readings
* Low-battery warning

Where to install
* At a minimum, install one near each sleeping area.
* Better yet, install one on each level of the house, including the basement.
* CO detectors can be mounted at any level on the wall or on the ceiling, unless specified otherwise by the manufacturer.
* Do not install a CO detector in the kitchen.

Testing and maintenance
* As with smoke alarms, test your CO alarm once a month.
* Keep the alarm free of dust and cobwebs.
* Replace batteries or power packs as recommended by the manufacturer.

Acong · Post time 11-3-2004 10:03 AM

Slips and Falls

Older adults are most at risk, but all age groups are vulnerable. Here are some tips to help prevent slips and falls in your home:

* Keep the floor clear. Reduce clutter and keep telephone and electrical cords out of walkways.
* Keep floors clean. Wipe up grease, water, and other liquids immediately. Don't wax floors.
* To reduce the chance of slipping or tripping, secure area rugs with a piece of foam carpet backing, double-sided tape, or a rubber pad.
* Keep stairs clear of clutter.
* Install graspable handrails, as specified by your local building code, in all stairways. Make sure the handrails are secured to studs.
* Make sure living areas梐nd especially stairways梐re well lit.
* Use a sturdy step stool with handrails when trying to reach high places.

Acong · Post time 11-3-2004 10:07 AM

Electrical Safety

Extension Cord Safety
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* Never run an extension cord under a rug.
* Do not consider extension cords part of your home's electrical system梪se them only for temporary situations.
* A frayed or cracked cord could cause a shock or fire. Replace old and damaged extension cords.
* Make sure the cords you buy are approved by an independent testing laboratory.
* Never overload an extension cord; that could cause a fire. Check the rating labels on the cords and the appliance. If necessary, upgrade to a higher-rated cord.

Receptacle Safety
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* Receptacles are inexpensive. Replace any that are broken, no longer hold a plug securely, feel hot to the touch, or spark or make noise when inserting or removing a plug.
* Replace broken faceplates so you don't accidentally touch a plug to a live portion of the receptacle.
* Never alter a polarized plug to make it fit into an old unpolarized receptacle.
* If you must use a grounding adapter, first verify that the receptacle is grounded (use a neon tester, the simple directions are on the package), then be sure to secure the tab on the adapter under the coverplate screw.
* Do not use a multi-plug adapter for extended periods of time. If you need more receptacles, add a new receptacle (and circuit, if necessary).
* When replacing a receptacle, make sure the new one is properly rated梟ever install a 20-amp receptacle on a 15-amp circuit.
* Never install a three-slot receptacle where there is no ground available, unless it is a GFCI receptacle. While it would be better to run a ground wire and install a properly grounded receptacle if there is a need for one, the next best thing is to install a GFCI. While it won't be grounded, it will provide some degree of shock protection.
* Use lockout receptacles or childproof plugs if young children will be present.

Acong · Post time 11-3-2004 10:09 AM

GFCIs
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The purpose of a GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) is to prevent shocks; they are code-required in wet areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and laundry rooms. That's because even on a grounded wiring system, electricity can leak from the hot lead without tripping the circuit breaker. If that happened while you were particularly well grounded (turning off a faucet while turning on a defective hair dryer, for example), the result could be fatal.

A GFCI device constantly monitors current levels on the hot and neutral sides of a circuit. If the GFCI senses an imbalance of just 1/2000 of an amp, it trips the circuit in 1/40 of a second or less.

Testing a GFCI receptacle
Plug a radio, hairdryer, or other appliance into the GFCI, turn the appliance on, then press the test button. The receptacle should shut itself off. If it doesn't, press the test button again. If it still doesn't shut off, the receptacle needs to be replaced. By the way, don't be too surprised if the receptacle doesn't shut off. It's estimated that up to 25 percent of all GFCIs in this country are malfunctioning due to power surges or lightening strikes. If the receptacle did pass its test, press the reset button; the power should come back on.

AFCIs
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According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, problems in home wiring, like arcing and sparking, are associated with more than 40,000 home fires each year. These fires claim over 350 lives and injure 1,400 victims annually. A new product, the arc-fault circuit interrupter, also referred to as either an AFCI or an arc-fault breaker, is designed to trip in response to heavy arcing. The latest edition of the National Electric Code requires AFCI protection for bedroom circuits in new construction starting January 2002. These breakers, available in both 15- and 20-amp versions, should be installed by a pro.

Typical situations in which an arc fault may occur include damaged wire insulation, loose connections at the receptacle or the box, damaged or worn appliance cords, and damaged or worn extension cords.

Acong · Post time 11-3-2004 11:46 AM

DIY Safety

Here's what may be the best tip of all梡ay attention to what you are doing. Work deliberately and thoughtfully, considering always the possible reaction to your action!

Ladders
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* The distance from the base of the wall to the base of the ladder should be 1/4 the height of the ladder. Most ladders have a graphic on the side to help you determine if the ladder is set at the proper angle.
* Make sure the ladder's footpads are secure on the ground. Shim them if necessary.
* Test the ladder to be sure it will not shift. If necessary, tie it off to keep it in place.
* Keep all ladders梕specially metal ladders梐way from electrical lines and pay attention to overhead lines when moving an extended ladder into position.
* Never attempt to stretch while on a ladder. If you can't reach, move the ladder.
* Only use a ladder that is in good condition.

Lawn Mowers
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* No one under 14 should operate a power mower.
* Don't give children rides on a mower. In fact, it's best to keep kids entirely out of the area while the lawn is being mowed.
* Wear sturdy shoes.
* Wear eye and ear protection. Add a dust mask if you have allergies.
Keep an eagle eye out for any debris that could be picked up and thrown by the blade.
* Never use your hand to dislodge an object caught in the blade, even if the engine is off and the sparkplug is pulled. That's because the blade may be under tension and will spring forward when the blockage is removed.
* Always refuel outdoors, not in a garage or shed. Allow the engine to cool before refueling.
* When mowing slopes, mow side to side with walk-behind mowers, go up and down the slope with a riding mower.
* Avoid mowing steep slopes梡lant groundcovers instead!

Hand and Power Tools
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* Always wear safety glasses when using any power tool. Wear safety glasses when using a hammer or drill.
* Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for using their tools and materials.
* Dull tools are unsafe and can harm the work. Maintain your tools. Always work with sharp cutting blades.
* Unplug power tools before loading them, changing blades or bits, or making adjustments.
* Never use any power tool in the rain.
* Never alter or remove the blade guard on a power saw.
* Always wear proper clothing and safety equipment on the work site.
* Keep children and pets away from the work area and power tools, as well as away from harmful materials, adhesives, and solvents.
* Keep a clean work site and don't let debris accumulate.

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