1. 6 Fire Safety Tips for the Home
When it comes to protecting family and property, the number one concern for homeowners is burglary, hence the
reason why so many people have home alarm systems installed in the home. Burglary is a real danger, but it is not
the only one. What many people do not consider when thinking about home safety are the dangers that lurk within
the home – one of which is fire.
According to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments responded to 370,000 home
structure fires in the U.S. in 2011. These fires caused some 13,910 civilian injuries, 2,520 civilian deaths and almost
$7 billion in direct damages to homes. I’m sure you would agree that these stats make clear why fire safety and
prevention should be a priority for every homeowner in America.
Here are six tips to make your home safer and your family more aware of fire:
1. Teach your children
Children are often not able to sense danger in the same way as adults and this makes them vulnerable in the event
of a fire. Fortunately, kids are like sponges when it comes to learning and understanding, and you should teach them
about fire safety when young. Do so by using mantras to help them remember what to do in an emergency.
2. Plan your Escape
It is probably something you have never given a thought to, but if a fire were ever to engulf your home, an efficient
escape plan will be needed. This will usually involve climbing out of a window, so be sure to check windows regularly
to ensure they open easily. You may also want to consider keeping a roll up ladder in upper level rooms.
3. Don’t leave cooking unattended
According to the NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries and the kitchen is
the origin for 42% of these fires. The simple tip here is to never leave your cooking unattended. Also, ensure all
flammable materials are away from the stovetop.
4. Keep a fire extinguisher
It may seem like an obvious tip, but many homeowners do not keep a fire extinguisher in the property. Every home
should have at least one fire extinguisher, but it is recommended that you have one per floor.

2. 5. Check home electrical appliances regularly
The second biggest cause of home structure fire is malfunctioning electrical items. Make sure that all your appliances
receive regular safety checks, check cords for any signs of damage or fraying, use the correct lighting, and keep
lamps away from flammable objects.
6. Install smoke alarms
The last tip on this list is the perhaps the most important. Smoke alarms are designed to detect smoke and let out a
piercing alarm to alert those within the home to danger; it is recommended that every home should have at least
one for every level of the property.
At Monitronics, we take smoke alarms and fire safety to the next level by offering our customers monitoring. Unlike
regular smoke alarms, our alarms are linked to the home security system and alert the central monitoring station
within seconds of smoke being detected. From here, we can immediately dispatch emergency personnel to the
home. Moreover, this monitoring is provided 24/7, whether you are home or away.
With Monitronics, fire protection means that there is always someone else looking out for your family. To find out
more about our smoke alarms, visit www.monitronics.com