The Hidden Danger in our New Home

It’s something I didn’t look at when we were seeing the home for the first time. I didn’t even consider it when we signed the papers and even as we were unpacking and getting our kitchen renovated. I’ve made countless meals in my home, in the two months we’ve lived here, that produced enough steam where I had to turn on the vent.

Yet…

It never occurred to me that we were living without smoke detectors. It’s so unbelievable, but I know that there’s no way I’m the only one who didn’t think to look specifically for that. We have one single smoke detector right outside our master bedroom and that’s it. And who knows when it was installed. Honestly, it’s yellowed from age. I’m fairly certain it hasn’t worked in many years.

This house has our master bedroom on one side of the house and the kids’ rooms on the other side. It’s recommended that you actually have detectors inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement, and one CO alarm on each level and in each sleeping area.

Can you imagine if a fire started and we had no idea because we didn’t hear a detector go off? It literally makes me shiver just thinking about it. Did you know that three of every five home fire deaths result from fires in home without smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms? To think how simple it would be for that statistic to not be so alarming.

Here’s another one: The number one leading cause of house fires is unattended cooking.

I’m not going to lie. Cooking is more of a struggle with kids versus without. That’s just a fact that you are probably not surprised by. I frequently leave my kitchen unattended as something is heating or boiling on the stovetop, or baking in the oven. I’m tending to dirty diapers, a daughter who is a little too adventurous for an eight month old, and a son who likes to go into the bathroom and play in the sink.

Accidents aren’t always mistakes. Sometimes they are just accidents. Anything could happen when you’re cooking, and to think of all those times that our meal could’ve ended differently. We’ll be putting a smoke detector about 10-15 feet from the kitchen.

Thanks to First Alert though, my family can be safe. They are promoting Fire Prevention Month this October, but let’s work to prevent devastating fires year-round. In collaboration with First Alert, we received their Fire Prevention Kit with materials crucial for a Super Prepared Family. Because everyone in the family should understand the dangers of a fire and how best to prepare and deal with a fire, should one occur.

We now have four 10-year combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and to involve my toddler, they also include a Fire Prevention Month coloring book, a fire truck toy, a Jr. Fire Marshal sticker, crayons and a pencil. Max was so excited!

Their detectors have a prolonged lifespan of ten years because of a ten-year sealed battery that does not set off those crazy loud and annoying chirps because it’s a sealed lithium battery. It’s a very easy install right on the designated walls of our home, and it looks nice too! These detectors are slimmer and rounder and half the size of the standard alarm.

We will be practicing safety in our home by making sure we have an escape plan in the case of a fire. Does your family have one for your home? Have you thought of what you’ll do if you find yourself in that scary situation?

Even though my kiddos are young, we have to be prepared. I’m so ready to be a Super Prepared Family and make sure we keep everyone as safe as possible. I love that First Alert is including the whole family, with messaging that’s going to appeal to even the littles in the family. What little kiddo doesn’t love superheroes? Fire safety is a family affair and it’s smart to get the kids interested with items that they love.

I hope this has inspired you to get safe with your family!

Visit www.firstalert.com/firepreventionmonth to see First Alert’s Super Prepared Family in action and get information and other resources on these alarms, the alarm laws in your state, and tips for protecting your family.