The Dan Plowman real estate team wishes all of Durham Region a very happy 2023!
The start of a new year means new goals for a better you. While we don’t always stick to our New Year’s resolutions, we do (usually!) focus on something we’d like to improve on over the course of the year. But what about your home?
This January, don’t forget fire safety! This is an often overlooked aspect when it comes to your property—and it’s incredibly important. Here are our fire safety tips to help you and your Durham Region family safe in 2023.
The Right Equipment
Safety begins with having the right tools.
Every home should have working smoke detectors, placed in every bedroom, in every hallway right outside a bedroom, and on every level. It is recommended that you test these every month, and doing so is quite easy! While this might vary slightly from model to model, your smoke detector should have a button that you can press and hold down to test. It is also recommended that you change the batteries in your smoke detector 1-2 times a year.
If you live in a condo, your building management should come around to test your smoke detectors for you, as well as any other alarms or loudspeakers within your unit.
The Government of Canada also highly recommends purchasing a fire extinguisher for your home. Keep this in a place that is easy to access in the event of an emergency, such as your kitchen.
Have A Plan Of Action… And Practice It!
Do you know where to go and what to do in the event of a fire? It’s a good idea to have a plan of action—and to practice this with your family. If there are children in your household, then a fire drill, explaining staying calm and your home’s exits, can be very helpful. The same can be true for the elderly, who may not be as mobile.
While your condo should run monthly tests of the fire alarm system, you should also take note of the stairs on your floor and how you would exit your building from there. As well, it is very important that you learn the correct way to use your fire extinguisher—and keep in mind the PASS method!
Check out your local community’s programs. Ajax, for example, has several programs and events to learn more about fire safety and prevention for both children and adults. They also host Family Safety Day annually. You can learn more here.
Prevention, Prevention, Prevention
The best fire safety tip is to try to prevent any fires from happening—and this is especially important if you have small children.
In Oshawa, 82% of all fires occur in a home, and statistically, fires are most likely to start in the kitchen. Always be aware of things around your stove, such as dish cloths, rags, and packaging, and always ensure that your appliances are turned off correctly and unplugged when not in use. Educate children about kitchen safety and be very aware of what they’re doing if they’re in the kitchen with you.
Store matches and lighters in places that children cannot access. Fireproof your home by ensuring that certain items (clothing, rags, or other flammable materials) are not located too close to a heat source.
Fires in the home are unexpected. But there’s a lot you can do to prevent them from happening. Always be prepared in the case of a fire.
If you’re searching for real estate in the Durham Region, you’ll need to contact the home experts. Get in touch with Dan Plowman today, and get one step closer to your dream home.
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