Close Before You Doze: Why It Matters

Keeping doors closed while sleeping can significantly improve your chances of survival in a fire. A closed door slows the spread of flames, reduces toxic smoke, and contains heat, providing precious time to escape or await rescue.

Make it a nightly habit: Close Before You Doze.

Smoke Detectors: A Lifesaving Necessity

Proper installation and maintenance of smoke detectors can mean the difference between life and death. Follow these guidelines to ensure your home is protected:

• Placement: Install smoke alarms:

  • In every bedroom.

  • Outside each sleeping area.

  • On every level of your home, including the basement.

  • In larger homes, additional alarms may be necessary.

• Testing and Maintenance:

  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

  • Replace the batteries annually or as directed by the manufacturer.

• Modern Devices: Many new alarms are dual-purpose, detecting both smoke and carbon monoxide (CO).

• Installation Tips:

  • Mount alarms on the ceiling or high on the wall.

  • Keep alarms at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances to reduce false alarms.

• Replacement: Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years to ensure optimal functionality.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Preventing the Silent Killer

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas that can be fatal. Protect your home and family by adhering to these recommendations:

• Placement:

  • Install CO alarms in central locations outside sleeping areas and on every level of your home.

  • Interconnect all CO alarms for comprehensive coverage.

• Certification: Choose alarms certified by a qualified testing laboratory, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for optimal placement height.

• Testing and Maintenance:

  • Test CO alarms monthly.

  • Replace alarms according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

• In an Emergency:

  • If a CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh-air location outdoors or near an open window.

  • Call emergency services and remain in the fresh-air location until officials confirm it is safe to re-enter your home.

Call 811 Before You Dig: It's the Law

Before starting any digging project, call 811 or visit your state's 811 website. This free service helps prevent accidents by identifying the location of underground utilities like gas and electric lines.

Steps to Follow:

1. Contact 811 several business days before your project.

2. Provide details about your project to the representative or via an online form.

3. Utility companies will mark buried lines to guide safe digging.

Why It’s Important: Striking underground utilities can cause severe injury, property damage, or service disruptions. Protect yourself and your community by ensuring the area is safe to dig.

For more information, visit Call811.com.

By following these safety tips, you help protect your family, home, and community.