Best Security Products blog

The Consumer Insurance Blog has released an article dealing with the little-known fire hazard of 9-volt batteries.

The article points out that these batteries, found in so many household items and toys, can be dangerous if they are not taken care of properly.

Dave (of Kids and Character), a victim featured in the article and accompanying video, had his home totally destroyed by a fire started by a 9-volt battery. He shares from his own personal experience in an effort to get the word out about safety.

On April 21, 2011, the 9-volt battery from inside Dave’s smoke detector caused a fire that would destroy Dave’s home.

After removing the old battery from his smoke detector, Dave wanted to recycle it. But he didn’t know there are certain things you must to do to make sure the battery is safe and does not present a fire hazard.

There is a common element (or flaw) to every 9-volt battery: the terminals are close together. And creating a short across those terminals is very easy to do. 

Dave stored the old 9-volt batteries in a sack in his garage. A couple of weeks later, however, the bag was bumped causing 2 of the old batteries to short out together. This started a fire which destroyed Dave’s home.

If you have batteries lying around together in drawers and other places, you have a potential fire emergency on your hands. When the terminals short out together, they first become very warm and then they burst into flames.

To make the batteries safe for storing, simply place a piece of electrical tape over the terminals. This will keep them from shorting out and causing a fire.

Click here to watch the whole video.

It is a good idea to take some time as soon as possible to look around in your home for incorrectly stored 9-volt batteries. Whether they are new or old does not matter. Just be sure they are stored properly.

At Best Security Products, we can help you with all commercial and home fire security and safety needs. Give us a call at 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com

Source: http://www.insureinfoblog.com/2015/01/the-little-known-fire-hazard-of-9-volt-batteries/

You might not think that a few cloths stored in a plastic container could cause $500,000 in damages, but that is exactly what happened in a new house under construction.

This article reports that the cloths had been used to stain a new house. The clothes were improperly stored in a plastic container and began to heat up causing soot and smoke damage.

Cloths that have been soaked with oils or chemicals can present a fire hazard if not stored correctly.

Click the video below to view an actual demonstration of an oil soaked rag igniting:

How do oily rags ignite? When these rags are piled up together, the oil dries and releases heat, and the air gets trapped. The combination of heat and oxygen creates a fire hazard.¹ 

The best prevention is to know how to store and dispose of these cloths. Here are some tips to keep in mind the next time you embark on a project at home or at the office:

1. Place the soiled rags in a container with a tight fitting lid. Metal is best, but if you only have a plastic can or even a zip lock bag, that will work as well. Next, fill the container with water and then close. This will prevent the oxidation of the oils. Contact your local trash pick-up company for instructions on how to dispose of the container.

2. Alternatively, you can hang the cloths outside to dry, or you can spread them out flat. They should not be in a pile. Weight them down with something so they do not bunch up or fly away in the wind. Once they have dried, contact your local trash pick-up company for instructions on how to dispose of the cloths.

At Best Security Products, we use Honeywell products to deliver a state-of-the-art, customized fire security system to your property. For a consultation, please call or email our office: 1-800–988–2378, sales@bestsecurityproducts.com.

^{1 http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/dispose-of-oily-rags-household-hazardous-waste-pro/nfpSc/}

It may surprise you to learn that 90% of burglaries are preventable. There are many things you can do to reduce the likelihood that your home will be burglarized. One of best deterrents against burglary is a home security system. Most criminals admit that if they know a home is protected by a home alarm system, they will not attempt to break in.

But even if you do have a home alarm system, adding extra layers of protection is a good idea. Here are a few tips to make your home even safer:

1. Brighten things up. Burglars like to work under the cover of darkness, so the brighter your house and property is, the better. Make sure that the areas around your doors and windows are well lit. To save electricity, consider putting security lights on motion detectors, so they only turn on when motion triggers the sensors.

2. Tidy your landscaping. Large hedges or decorative items near your house provide burglars with perfect places to hide. Trim back large plants and make sure outdoor equipment is not easily accessible; burglars can use large objects to gain access to upper story windows and balconies.

3. Get a dog. A barking dog is one of the best ways to scare off a thief. They know the barking alerts others of their presence, and a barking dog also means they may get bitten! If you are an animal lover, giving a home to a pet dog may be just the extra layer of protection you need to keep your home and family safe.

4. Beef up your door frames. Door frames for home security? Yes. Regardless of how strong your locks and dead bolts are, if you have weak door frames, a criminal can kick it in and bypass the locks altogether.

At Best Security Products, we are experts in Home Security Systems. Please call or email for a consultation: 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com