How to Keep Families Safe at Home
National Wellness Month may be about highlighting self-care, stress reduction, and the pursuit of happiness, but all of those things won’t be possible if safety isn’t provided first, and what better place to begin than the home? The following are necessary safety measures that homeowners should take to ensure that they and the people they love remain safe, stress-free, and happy in the most comfortable of all places - the home.
Importance of Smoke Detectors
A smoke detector is one of the most critical devices homeowners can install in their homes to provide a line of defense against fire hazards. Not only do they give peace of mind that there will be a warning in the event of smoke or a fire, but they are also required in all states to be installed in designated areas in the house. This is because smoke detectors are highly effective.
Smoke detectors should be maintained regularly with checks and battery replacement. Batteries on smoke detectors usually only last six months, after which the smoke detector can begin to chirp to indicate battery replacement is needed. But modern versions of this device can now last up to 10 years without battery replacement.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors Save Lives
Aside from smoke detectors, a carbon monoxide detector is another crucial device to install at home to protect against carbon monoxide inhalation. Carbon monoxide, which is produced when carbon is burned incompletely, is a colorless and odorless gas that can be lethal if left undetected.
Similar to smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors are regulated by each state and are required in all but two. Because of this, many homes have a combined smoke and carbon monoxide detector instead of having a separate device to detect each hazard. However, unless it’s specified that the device can detect both, carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors are not the same.
Schedule an Electrical Inspection
A routine electrical safety inspection is one of the most vital precautions homeowners can take to ensure that their homes meet the standards of electrical safety prescribed by the law. Ensuring homes are subject to regular electrical inspections lowers the risk of fires and electrocutions that overloaded circuits, frayed wiring, or faulty electrical installation may cause.
These inspections are ideally conducted every three to five years by an electrician to assess the home’s electrical system and the changing power demands of its occupants. However, an electrical inspection must be conducted earlier if homeowners become aware of the following hazardous signs:
- Small shocks when plugging or unplugging appliances
- Burning smell
- Flickering lights
- Sparks coming out of outlets
- Hot or discolored outlets
About Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air
Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air has been serving the community of Port St. Lucie and the surrounding areas since 1988. They offer upfront pricing, same-day service, and 24/7 emergency service. Call them today for electrical services in Port St. Lucie, FL.