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    Ready PA

    Safer Homes

    Creating safer homes to protect Pennsylvanians from fire injuries and loss.

    Three colorfully illustrated doorsteps. One has a french bulldog sitting on its stoop.

    Overview

    Items like smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire sprinkler systems can make homes safer and prevent fire-related deaths and injuries.

    Smoke Alarms

    Smoke alarms prevent fire deaths. In fact, the risk of dying in reported home structure fires is 55 percent lower in homes with working smoke alarms.

    Smoke alarms should be installed:

    • Inside every bedroom
    • Outside every sleeping area
    • On every level of the home

    • Press the test buttons once a month to make sure your smoke detectors are working.
    • It's best to have interconnected alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound.
    • Vacuum cobwebs and dust from around your alarms each month. This will prevent nuisance alarms.
    • Battery-powered alarms? Replace batteries at least once each year.
    • Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.

    Fire Extinguishers

    Fire extinguishers are essential for putting out small fires at home. If you try to use an extinguisher and it doesn't immediately help, get out right away.

    • Know how to use extinguishers well in advance of a fire.
    • Many extinguishers can only be used once.
    • Most portable extinguishers empty in eight seconds. If the fire isn't out by then, get out!
    • Use the guage or test button to make sure there is enough pressure to work properly.
    • Keep them in a place that is easily accessible for adults.
    • Keep away from children.

    • The fire is small and not spreading.
    • Everyone has left or is leaving.
    • You can exit quickly.
    • There isn't much smoke.
    • The fire department has been called.

    Free Smoke Alarms

    Pennsylvanians can request a free smoke alarm from the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region. For help with additional alarms or for assistance with installation, contact your local fire department.

    Request A Smoke Alarm

    Carbon Monoxide Detectors

    Carbon monoxide detectors are essential because carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless, and colorless.

    Have a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home. Additional detectors should be placed in the area of major fuel-burning appliances, such as the furnace, water heater, or wood stove.

    First, remain calm. Most activations aren't life-threatening.
     

    If Anyone Feels Ill

    Evacuate immediately and call 911. Typical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

    • Headache
    • Nausea
    • Fatigue
    • Dizziness
    • Confusion
    • Irritability
    • Vomiting

     

    If No One Feels Ill

    You probably don't need to call 911.  Here's what to do instead:

    • Turn off fuel-burning appliances
    • Ventilate the area with fresh air
    • Attempt to reset your detector (if it won't reset, call a qualified contractor to inspect your heating and ventilating system)
    • If at any time someone starts to feel ill: Get out, stay out, and call 911

    Carbon Monoxide calls are routine for first responders. They are trained to help you. Usually, a fire department an an emergency medical unit will respond.

    If you told 911 that you might be sick, there will usually be an emergency response: 

    • The fire department might conduct operations to locate the source of carbon monoxide gas.
    • The premises might be ventilated.
    • People who complain of illness will be evaluated and treated, as necessary. Some may be transported to a hospital or medical care facility for further care.

     

    Fuel-fired appliances, such as:

    • Gas and oil furnaces
    • Space heaters
    • Clothes dryers
    • Ranges and ovens
    • Water heaters
    • Charcoal grills
    • Fireplaces
    • Wood-burning stoves
    • Car exhaust fumes
    • Lawnmower exhaust fumes
    • Snow blower exhaust fumes

    Home Fire Sprinkler Systems

    Before the fire department responds, home sprinklers can prevent a fire from spreading, and can even extinguish it.

    If you don't have one already, consider installing an automatic home fire sprinkler system. 

    • According to the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, the risk of dying in a home fire decreases by about 80 percent when the home has a fire sprinkler system.
    • Sprinklers can decrease the chance of deadly smoke and gases reaching your family, and can put out a fire when you're away from home.
    • They can notify the fire department in your absence, if conntected to an alarm system.
    • Additionally, these systems can make it more likely for people who experience a house fire to return home and continue living as they did before the blaze.
    • Sprinkler systems can lower the cost of home insurance premiums, are easy to maintain, and are only activated by the high temperature of a fire.

    If having a sprinkler system installed, be sure to use someone qualified who adheres to National Fire Protection Association codes and standards, plus local fire safety regulations.