Best Security Products blog

If a fire breaks out in your home or office, there is no time to research the best method of putting it out. You need to be prepared before the emergency happens.

If you use the wrong method to put out certain types of fires, it can be deadly. For example, putting water on a grease fire can cause an explosion!

Here are some common fires and how to safely extinguish them:

1. Grease fires. As mentioned above, never put water on a grease fire. Also, never move a pan that is on fire. Instead, place a cookie sheet or lid on top of the fire and turn the burner off. Allow the fire to go out on its own. Do not lift the lid until you are completely sure that the fire has gone out; the fresh air may cause the fire to flame up again.

2. Chimney fires. To put out a chimney fire, follow these steps:

a. Close off all oxygen vents to the fire. This will eliminate the fuel needed for the fire to continue burning.

b. Dump sand onto the fire in the grate, if needed. It is a good idea to keep a container of sand handy at all times, for this reason.

3. Electrical fires. Old or frayed wires, overloaded power strips or faulty equipment can cause an electrical fire. A good method for putting out an electrical fire is to use a fire extinguisher. Keep a fire extinguisher handy at all times – make sure you know where it is and that it is in good working order. It is also important to know how to use one; waiting until a fire is underway is not a good time to figure it out!

To prevent electrical fires, keep an eye on your wires and power outlets to make sure they are in good working condition and are not overloaded.

At Best Security Products, we specialize in fire systems for business and home.

Give us a call at 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com

Did you know there was one home structure fire reported every 86 seconds in 2015?¹ That is one fire about every minute.

October is fire prevention month, and this is a good time to take a few minutes to think seriously about your own home fire safety.

Your smoke alarm really is your first line of defense against home fires. But if you are not taking care of your smoke alarm, it cannot protect you.

Here are some reasons for giving your smoke alarm the TLC it needs to protect you and your family.

1. Smoke alarms get old! The official theme for the NFPA’s fire prevention week this year is: “Don’t Wait: Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years”² This is to remind people that smoke detectors do not last forever. They need to be replaced every 10 years. If the smoke detectors in your home are older than 10 years, it is time to replace them.

2. Even new alarms need to be checked. Even if you have a new smoke alarm installed, you still need to check it monthly to make sure it is functioning. Pressing the test button will let you know if it is working correctly and can alert you in the event of a fire.

3. Smoke is as dangerous as fire. Your house can fill up with smoke from a low flaming, smoldering fire. When this happens, your home can become very dark and it will be difficult to breathe. In this case, it is the smoke, not the actual flames that presents a danger. A smoke alarm can alert you to the danger in time to get out safely. But only if it works.

4. Help from first responders. If your smoke alarm is working properly and is also part of a monitored system, you will have help if a fire does occur in your home. When your monitoring service gets the alert that your system has been triggered, they will take steps to alert first responders. But again - this only happens if your smoke alarm is working properly.

Final tips: Keep fresh batteries in your alarm, vacuum it monthly and never paint it.

At Best Security Products, we specialize in fire systems for business and home.

Give us a call at 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com

^{1 http://www.nfpa.org/news-and-research/fire-statistics-and-reports/fire-statistics/fires-in-the-us
2 http://www.nfpa.org/news-and-research/news-and-media/press-room/news-releases/2016/nfpa-announces-2016-fpw-theme}

False alarms are a big inconvenience for homeowners, but homeowners are not the only ones affected by them. The monitoring company which services your system is also affected, as their time and resources are taken up as they deal with these false alarms.

You may also find that you are charged a hefty fine if your false alarm engaged first responders.

The good news is that most false alarms are preventable. Below are some top tips to reduce the risk of false alarms from your security system.

1. Know your system. It is important that you are completely familiar with how your system works. User error causes many false alarms. When your system is installed, ask plenty of questions and practice using it while your technician is present. Keep the user manual handy at all time, so you can look up any additional questions you have, rather than using trial and error to figure it out.

2. Professional installation. False alarms can be further reduced by having a professional install your system. DIY installations sometimes work and sometimes they do not work. When a professional installs your system, you can be assured that it has been done correctly and will work as expected.

3. Dead batteries. If you have an older alarm system, dead batteries in motion detectors may trigger an alarm. Make sure your batteries are fresh and new.

4. Pets. Pets roaming around the house can trigger motion detectors. Consider installing new motion detectors that are ‘pet smart.’ These motion detectors are designed to recognize if a pet is present and will not trigger the alarm.

5. Check your doors and windows. If your doors and windows do not fit securely and instead are loose, they may trigger the alarm system. 

At Best Security Products, we specialize in fire systems for business and home.

Give us a call at 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com