According to a report by the U.S. Fire Administration, there was an average of 1,900 fatal fires in residential buildings each year from 2018-2020. These accounted for 2,745 deaths, 625 injuries and $230 million in property loss. You can help to prevent your home and your family from becoming part of these fire statistics by investing in some simple home fire-prevention items. Whether they alert you about potential smoke, help to extinguish a fire, or aid in the safe exit of your home, each product is worth picking up – they may even save a life!
Smoke/CO detector combo
Most fatal fires occur when families are asleep. Smoke and gases spread more extensively through homes before heat, so smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors can serve as the pivotal alarm to save lives during fire emergencies.
Basic buy: A unit with reliable 2-in-1 protection against both smoke and CO in an easy-to-install alarm that runs on a 10-year sealed battery.
Interlinked multi-pack: Smoke/CO alarms that work as unit. If one alarm detects a threat, all interconnected alarms will activate to sound a warning. Up to 24 alarms can be interlinked for maximum coverage.
Advanced smart unit: Pick up a combo detector that speaks in a friendly voice to give you an early warning when there’s smoke or CO in your home and that sends phone alerts so you know something’s wrong even when you’re out and about.
Fire extinguishers
While you should always call 911 when fire ignites, a fire extinguisher is a great tool to attack a fire that’s confined to a small space and isn’t increasing in size before firefighters arrive. Here are a handful that will help you stop some smaller fires in their tracks.
Standard home fire extinguisher: Pick up a multipurpose fire extinguisher that fights wood, paper, trash, plastics, gasoline, oil, and electrical-equipment fires and that can also be recharged by a certified professional after use.
Fire spray: These compact extinguishers are great for dealing with grease, flammable gas, paper, fabric, wood and electrical fires. The spray’s formula is non-toxic and the product weighs considerably less than traditional fire extinguishers.
Fire blanket: Extinguish small fires quickly and easily minus the mess associated with the use of common fire extinguishers. Simply pull down the tabs, unfold the blanket and cover the fire. These are effective on liquid and grease fires and can also be used as a thermal or heat shield.
Escape ladders
In the best-case scenario, you are never placed in a position to have to use emergency ladders to escape from a house fire. That being said, if you do have bedrooms on the second or third level of your house, then these are a vital tool for ensuring your family’s safety.
Two-story ladder: A durable escape ladder with slip-resistant rungs that extends up to 13 feet is perfect for second-story rooms. Target one that can support up to 1,000 lbs.
Three-story ladder: A third-story room will require a 25-foot ladder. Find one that can be easily stored under a bed or near a window.
Spare batteries
Whether it’s powering smoke detectors for the long run or flashlights that suddenly become a necessity, spare batteries are an essential item to ensure that many of your emergency gadgets function properly. Keep plenty on hand.
Battery combo pack: Includes multiple AA, AAA, C, D and 9V alkaline batteries.
Fireproof storage
Birth certificates, wills, tax documents and passports are all essential items that could be destroyed in a fire. Losing these could result in even more hardship and misery after a fire emergency. Protect your essential documents and belongings in fireproof storage containers to ensure that your most important possessions don’t go up in flames.
Fireproof file box: On the cheaper end of the spectrum, a fireproof and water-resistant file box that can hold both letter and legal-sized documents (along with items such as CDs, DVDs, books and other valuables in mesh pockets) should be fine. Look for a container that can withstand temperatures up to 2,200 degrees F.
Fireproof safe: If you are looking to up the security level of your fireproof container, there are plenty of fire and waterproof safes available. Target a unit that can withstand one hour at 1,700 degrees F. A digital combination lock, steel construction and bolt down hardware are features to look for as well.
First aid kit
It’s always smart to keep a well-stocked first aid kit around for the occasional cuts and scrapes, and a home fire dramatically ups the probability for a wide array of injuries.
Waterproof first aid kit: Besides the first aid kit standards such as bandages, gauze, tweezers and scissors, another feature to consider for fire-specific events is a waterproof case. This will ensure all the contents can still be used if sprinklers or water have been used to extinguish a fire near the kit.
