Why You Should Add Fire Alarm Checks to Your Spring Cleaning

The promise of warmer days and brighter skies is upon us– it’s springtime in New England!

This time of year typically brings about an urge for many homeowners and business owners to take on the annual task of getting their space spick-and-span. But this year, why not make spring cleaning more than just a superficial chore?

As you go through the motions of reorganizing your place, don’t forget to pay special attention to one important aspect: fire alarm checks.

Taking proactive measures when it comes to assessing the effectiveness of your home or office fire alarms can help ensure that you sustain a safe environment all summer long.

Have peace of mind knowing that proper testing and preventive maintenance are being done on these safety devices.

This article talks about why it’s essential to add fire alarm checks to your spring cleaning and how you can prevent fire accidents.

Why Fire Alarm Checks Are Important

Nearly three out of five home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms or with non-functioning smoke alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Additionally, the NFPA points out that inoperable smoke alarms are due to missing or disconnected batteries.

One in four smoke alarms fails because of a dead battery.

Fire Safety Advice for Indoor Spring Cleaning

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of spring cleaning is mops, brooms, and dustpans. As you go about your spring cleaning routine, keep fire prevention in mind to prevent a fire.

Here are some tips on how to stay safe from fires:

Make sure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working.

Check your carbon monoxide and smoke detector batteries for corrosion and replace them as needed.

In case there is corrosion inside the battery compartment, you should replace the entire device.

Otherwise, just replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

If the cord of an electrical appliance or tool is frayed, don’t use it.

Make sure any electrical appliances or tools with frayed cords are replaced as soon as possible.

Electrical cords that are damaged could cause a fire. You should also check your extension cords during this time. Putting too many devices in an outlet can cause it to overheat and catch fire.

Ensure that all of your appliances are working correctly.

This includes your stove, oven, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, and anything else you use daily. Have an appliance repaired or replaced if it shows any signs of malfunction.

Spring is a great time for cleaning, and checking fire alarms shouldn’t be an afterthought. Hence, it’s a must to add fire alarm checks to your spring cleaning.

Fire safety should always be top-of-mind in any home or business, and it’s important to inspect these devices annually to ensure they’re working correctly.

Additionally, if you have a smoke detector that’s 10 years old, now is the time to replace it with something new. Taking the time to inspect these alarms can save lives and prevent property damage in the event of an emergency. 

For more tips on fire safety, follow us, Northeast– MetroWest Insurance Agency, on Facebook and stay tuned for upcoming articles!