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Fire Alarm |
Fire Alarm Systems to the Rescue
By Sarah Clark
Home Improvement Ideas Columnist
According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were 402,000 reported residential fires in the United States in 2003, which resulted in over 3,000 deaths and over $6 million in property damage. A fire alarm system can provide an added layer of assurance that your family and property are protected against the dangers of fire.
Cooking equipment is the leading cause of residential structure fires; heating equipment is the second major cause. One way to protect your home against fire is to install a fire alarm system. Fire alarm systems usually come as part of a security system that protects homes against burglary. They usually cost at least $1,000 in addition to monthly charges of $15 to $20 for 24 hour monitoring.
How Do Fire Alarms Work?
Fire alarms are run by a central operating system that is connected to various heat and smoke detection units installed throughout a home. When signs of danger are detected, an alarm is set off, which may trigger a call to an external monitoring service to notify a police or fire department of your emergency.
What's the Advantage of Having a Fire Alarm System?
If a disabled person or child lives in your home, they along with anyone else inside the house will be able to receive assistance escaping in the event of a fire. The alarm system will send an emergency message to a monitoring agency, which will trigger a call to a local fire department, sending immediate help on the way.
Doing Your Part to Prevent Home Fires
The National Fire Protection Agency has issued the following tips to help consumes reduce the risk of fire in their homes.
- Never leave your cooking area unattended and always keep it clean and uncluttered.
- Instruct children to stay away from the stove top and make sure handles are not pointing away from the stove.
- Always keep space heaters at least three feet away from walls, curtains, and furniture.
- Never leave portable heaters on unattended.
- Don't overload electrical outlets and cover unused outlets with plastic if children live in your home.
Sources
About the Author
Sarah Clark is a freelance writer based in Arlington, Virginia.
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