Moving into a new home in Michigan is a time of excitement, but is also comes with a long list of things-to-do for the safety of the entire family. Among the list of things to accomplish, new home owners should add in fire safety factors that are necessary to limit the risk of a fire. So while the Michigan movers are handling the move itself, consider the following things so that your new home is as safe as it can be.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Before moving into the home, it is important to take extra time to check the smoke alarms and any carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in proper working order. Put in new batteries and test that it makes a sound when the button is pressed.
Smoke alarms are the first part of fire safety because it gives a warning sign against problems. The same is true of carbon monoxide detectors because it will warn against unsafe levels of the odorless gas. If the current alarms are not working or the home has few alarms, it is important to immediately replace and buy new systems.
Get a Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is another tool to prevent the worst of any damage from occurring when a small fire breaks out. Keeping at least one extinguisher in the house is an important part of preventing a fire from spreading while it is still small enough to manage.
The best location for any extinguisher in the home is near a kitchen or near other areas with fire hazards, like a log fireplace. Near a kitchen is usually the best location due to the fact that many small fires start in the kitchen while cooking or due to forgetfulness with the stove or oven. In some cases, it is best to have more than one extinguisher in easily accessible locations.
Get a Fireplace Inspection
Any home with a fireplace, particularly a wood-burning fireplace, should have professionals come out and look for fire hazards. It is usually best to have the chimney swept at least once a year to avoid fire hazards that develop as a result of built up materials in the chimney. Getting the fireplace inspected for hazards and fixing any problems before using the fireplace will limit the risks of fire.
Child-Proof the House
Any new homeowner who has young children should take measures to child-proof the house. Putting flammable materials in locations that are out of reach and covering electrical sockets with appropriate child safety plastic covers will help prevent accidental fires from young children who are curious about the socket or flammable items.
Young children getting into flammable materials or playing with the electrical socket will not only have the risk of accidentally starting a fire, they are also at risk of serious injuries or even death. Parents should always take safety precautions when a child is very young.
Preparing a new home starts with safety precautions, including the limitation of fire hazards and detection measures. Making a new home fire-safe is only a part of the necessary tasks, but it is a vital step in protecting the whole family and the asset of a house.
About the Author: Stephanie blogs about fire safety for homes and businesses.