Paint The House

Fire Safety Expert Gives Tips
Retired New Jersey fire department officer, Jim Mueller, gives tips on Fire Safety in the Home at a Thursday, Oct. 15, meeting of the Rotary Club of Pawleys Island. He suggests replacing batteries in smoke detectors when changing clocks for Daylight Savings Time twice a year. You should have a smoke detector within eight feet of any sleeping area, Mueller said. The best detectors are the ones that are hooked up to house electric current with a battery backup. When my wife and I go on vacation, we bring a battery-powered smoke detector along to protect us in a hotel or motel room. Youd be surprised how many lives can be saved by such foresight. Mueller suggests having a few fire extinguishers in a home. But make sure you choose the correct extinguisher for the type of fire you are fighting. Type A is for paper fires; Type B for electrical, and Type C for flammable liquids. The best extinguisher for a kitchen is a coffee can filled with baking soda. I paint my can red so that it is not accidentally used for the wrong purpose. You also can throw a rug or wet towel over a fire. If the flame is in a pot or frying pan, just put a lid over the fire. Electrical fires are a concern in households, according to Mueller. Dont use extension cords continuously to run something. Unplug all nnecessary items like toasters or computers. If you have an emergency and leave your house, do not lock the door. Please wait for the fire department to arrive and tell them everyone in the family is out. Also, tell the firemen in which room the fire is located. Mueller says he is a firm believer in having motion detector lights outside to keep intruders away. Sometimes they break into a house to take possessions and then set a fire to mask their illegal entry. Look into a fire alarm system that signals a detection center, Mueller said. You also can tie a burglar alarm into such an alert system.

Duration : 0:4:42

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