Best Security Products blog

American Canyon Fire offers some critical safety information in their video: Fire Safety, Smoke Detectors.  You can click the video below to watch the short presentation. We have pulled some of their main points for you. 

1.  While there are many tools you can use to prevent home fires, the smoke detector is the most important.

2. Since the battery powered smoke detector was created, deaths due to home fires have been decreased by half.

3.  Everyone who lives in a home with a smoke detector needs to be familiar with the sound the detector makes when it is activated.

4.  There are still homes that do not have smoke detectors in them, and these homes account for about half of all deaths due to fire in the home.

5.  In one-fourth of the reported fires that occurred in homes that had smoke detectors, those detectors were not in working condition. Often, smoke detectors do not work due to batteries that are either dead, missing or are not connected to the smoke detector.

6.  There are now more homes with smoke detectors that do not work than there are homes that contain no smoke detectors.

7.  American Canyon Fire recommends testing your smoke detector every month by pushing the test button, and every six months you should change the batteries.  Keep in mind also, when you hear chirping from your smoke detector, it is a sign that the batteries are running low and should be replaced.

8.  American Canyon Fire also recommends clearing out cobwebs or debris from your smoke detector every six months, when you change the batteries. Spiders can cause false alarms from your smoke detectors.  Using a can of canned air to spray your detector is a great way to clean it out.

9.  Be sure you have a smoke detector on every floor of your home, even in the basement.

Click here to watch the entire video.

Because so many businesses are damaged or destroyed by fire, installing a business fire alarm system is one of the best investments you can make. A monitored fire alarm system can let you and your monitoring company know as soon as a fire emergency threatens in your business. And now, with smart technology, you can be notified on your phone, tablet or computer when an alert occurs.

But purchasing and installing a fire alarm system is just the beginning. Your system, once installed, must be periodically examined and tested in order to ensure it will work as expected and perform in the event of a fire situation. If you purchase a system and ignore it from them on, you will not have the protection that you think you have because even high quality systems need to be tested and maintained.

For example, something as simple as batteries in a smoke detector can be the cause of a fire disaster if they are not replaced regularly.

Fluctuations in voltage as well as temperature extremes and humid conditions can cause a system to malfunction. 

Only a trained professional can give your system the inspection that it needs in order to ensure your continued protection. Keep in mind, if an emergency does occur, your insurance company may want to see proof of regular maintenance and inspections. This is another reason to get your system inspected regularly.

Having your fire alarm system regularly checked is a budgetary issue. Hiring a professional to oversee your system does cost money, and it may be money that is not easy to spend. After all, no one really expects to be the unfortunate victim of a fire emergency. But neglecting this important aspect may cost you far more than the price of a professional inspection.

At Best Security Products, we can install your system and help you maintain it. Give us a call at 1-800–988–2378 or send us an email at sales@bestsecurityproducts.com

If you live in an older home, you are at an increased risk of house fire due to electrical mishaps. Homes that are older than 40 years are especially at risk.

As homes age, so does the electrical wiring. It can become frayed, loose and generally worn out. One of the main causes of electrical fires in older homes is an arc fault. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), arcing faults are responsible for more than 30,000 home fires each year.^₁ The good news is that with the right technology, you can significantly decrease your risk of experiencing a fire due to an arc fault.

The ESFI has released a short video explaining what an arc fault is and what you need to do to prevent them. Click the video below to view the whole thing; we have summarized the main points for you.

An arc fault happens when electrical current jumps (arcs) between wires, and this can cause a fire. It may happen when an electrical cord is pinched (by a piece of furniture) or pierced by a nail inside the wall. It can also happen if an appliance cord is cracked.

The solution is to install Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCI).

AFCI’s recognize arcing conditions and terminate electricity before a fire occurs.

Click the video below to watch the whole presentation by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)

If you are interested in having AFCI’s placed in your home, contact your local electrician. And in the meantime, consider installing a professional fire detection system by Best Security Products. Using smart technology, you can have up-to-the minute fire monitoring so you can rest easy at night.

Give us a call for a consultation; we can design a custom system to meet your unique needs and budget.

We are looking forward to talking with you! 1-800–988–2378 or sales@bestsecurityproducts.com

¹ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-SBly_2bPQ