Tag Archives: homes

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIRE ALARMS AND SMOKE ALARMS? (GUEST POST)

Alarms are the first line of defence in the event of a fire. They act as an early warning sign giving you the chance to evacuate premises and escape any fire-related danger.  Everyone wants to protect their homes and by law, any facility used for a commercial purpose must protect those that work inside it, but there is often some confusion as to the difference between a fire alarm and a smoke alarm.

Well, the clue really is in the title. One detects smoke, and the other detects fire. But as the saying goes, there is no smoke without fire, so both are equally important. In fact, more people will suffer from inhalation of smoke than they will from fire burns. Here’s why the two are so different and where they are best suited:

Smoke alarms

What are they?

Smoke alarms are devices that are able to detect smoke or fire, giving an audible alarm as a result. They are fantastic at detecting a fire in its early stages, allowing you adequate warning to evacuate before inhaling any harmful gases.  Smoke inhalation is the primary cause of fatality when it comes to fire-related deaths. In fact, in the majority of cases, the victims are asleep when the smoke enters their lungs, cementing the absolute requirement for smoke alarms.

What are the benefits?

Because they are simple yet effective, they are ideal for domestic use. Ideally, one should be placed on each level of the home, and in particular where you can hear it from the bedroom. It is advisable not to place them in areas that may cause frequent activation such as the kitchen or bathroom.

Many of these can be combined with carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon Monoxide is an odourless, tasteless and invisible gas, meaning you can be killed by it before you even know it existed. Combined smoke alarms can protect from this as well as smoke particles. 

Smoke detectors are the most basic device available on the market and are cheap additions to a building considering their vital role. They are best suited for homes, where people can exit the property quickly and easily. 

Fire alarms

What are they?

A fire alarm detects the presence of fire by monitoring the changes in environment associated with combustion. This can include the detection of smoke which is why they are commonly confused with smoke alarms.

In commercial environments, where fire alarms are best suited, if you employ more than five people, you need to have a written record of your fire assessment by law. This will affect how many fire alarms are required and what fire precautions should be made in order to protect the facility and its staff.

What are the benefits?
 

Fire alarms can be linked with other systems making for an efficient and safer system. For example, when a fire alarm is triggered, sprinkler systems can be activated, or the local fire station can be alerted.

For this reason, and for their ability to be more complex, fire alarms are generally not used in domestic environments.   

When you consider how much damage could be prevented, and how many lives are saved a year from their simple installation, their cost is minimal in comparison. 

Author Bio: 

Karen Asbury is Firemart’s Fire Safety Expert. Firemart are an online fire safety equipment retailer in the UK.

 We appreciate this informative article regarding the importance of  fire alarms  in large buildings, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, schools, theaters, and places of work where many lives are involved.  Let this also be a reminder to keep your smoke detectors working, by checking the batteries every so often. pb

 

 

 

NATIONAL RADON ACTION WEEK……

was this past week!  There were so many things to focus on during the week of October 17-23, it was difficult to address all of them.  Today, we will explain some things about radon, (Rn), a gaseous radioactive element.  It is an extremely toxic, colorless gas and can be condensed to a transparent liquid and to an opaque, glowing solid.  It derives from the radioactive decay of radium and is used in cancer treatment, as a tracer in leak detection, and in radiography.  The source of this technical explanation is Condensed Chemical Dictionary and Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 

Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water, and gets into the air you breathe, or sometimes the water you drink.  It is located all over the United States, and can be found in homes, offices, and schools.  The home is the most likely place to furnish the most exposure, because that’s where you spend most of your time.  Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems.  It can enter the home through well water, but mostly it enters the home through the soil.  Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe.  These particles can cause damage to lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of a lifetime.  Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer, and the amount of time between exposure and the onset of the disease may take many years. 

You can’t see, smell, or taste radon.  It is thought to cause many thousands of deaths each year.  The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today.  Only smoking causes more lung cancers deaths; if you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. 

The only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon is testing.  The Surgeon General and EPA recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon, as well as testing in schools.  Call your state radon office about radon problems in schools, daycare, and childcare facilities, and workplaces in your area.  

It’s Not Hard to Find Out if You Have a Radon Problem 

Testing is easy and fast.  Radon in the air is measured in “picocuries per liter of air,” or “pCi/L.”  There are many kinds of low-cost “do-it-yourself” radon test kits you can order or find in hardware stores.  If you wish to use a qualified tester, you can also call your state radon office for information.  There are short-term tests, and long-term tests.  If you take a short-term type, and the result is 4 pCi/L or higher, take the follow-up test or a second short-term test.  Consider fixing your home if the average of both tests is this amount or higher. 

Home-buyers and renters are asking more often about radon levels before they buy or rent a home.  If you are thinking about selling your current home, make plans now to test for radon rather than run the risk of slowing down your home sale later.  Many new homes today are built to prevent radon from entering.  Ask the owner if the home has radon-resistant features.  If there is a test result of 4 pCi/L or more, a vent fan can be added to an existing passive system for around $300, and further reduce the radon level in your home. 

It requires persons with technical knowledge and special skills to lower high radon levels.  There are contractors who are trained in this field; they can study the radon problem and help you choose the correct treatment method.  Your state radon office can furnish names of qualified or state certified radon contractors in your area.  For more information, please go to www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html.   Radon reduction systems work, and are not too costly.  Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99 per cent.  Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels, according to the EPA.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS (AND) EVERYONE! PART I

It’s very normal for us to be concerned with our safety as we age.  It’s natural that as we grow older, we take more risks with everyday tasks.  Here are some suggestions that you may have already thought of;  if not, let’s think about ways to make our lives safer.   Take a mental picture of your home, room by room.  Are there some changes we should consider making?  Things in my home that are hazards are loose rugs in my hallway.  If I continue to keep them, I should use double-sided tape or non-slip padding on the underside, especially at corners and center, to prevent them from slipping.  We know that slips, trips, and falls, are serious hazards for workers, as well as seniors. 

Continuing through your home: how about the living room/den?  Are they cluttered?  You should never leave anything on the floor where someone could trip.  Furniture should be arranged to provide clear, easy pathways.  Power and extension cords should be taped along the baseboards of walls to keep them out of the way.  If there are steps in the home, have a ramp or handrail installed.  Having a soft nightlight in each room would help us find our way in the dark.

Going into the kitchen, see if the items you use the most are stored on easy-to-reach shelves, between waist and eye level.  If the step stool is old (please, never use a chair), get a stepladder with handles for extra support.  Keep flammables, like cup towels away from the stove.  Don’t wear loose clothing around the stove while you are cooking.  If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, purchase one, and have the store representative show you how to properly use it. 

Bedroom: never tuck in an electric blanket if you use them.  This can cause overheating and result in a fire.  Heating pads should not be used in bed; if someone falls asleep with it on, burns can result, even at low temperatures.  Have a light near the bed within easy reach.  Install a nightlight between the bed and bathroom to avoid a fall in the dark. 

Accidental falls in the bathroom are a common cause of broken hips; apply self-adhesive non-slip strips to the bottom of the tub or shower.  Have a grab bar inside the shower; installing another one beside the toilet is advisable.  Accessible toilets, 3 to 5” higher than a standard seat, make it safer and more convenient.  It would be wise to have locks that can open doors from both sides. 

Stairway/Porch Steps: one of the most common sites of falls is the stairway, or on the porch.  Stay safe on stairs with light-sensitive night lights in unlit stairwells, hallways, and by placing light switches at doorways, and at top and bottom on stairs.  Railings should be installed for sturdiness on steps of porches.  Paint porches with grit to prevent slips.

 One last point: if you have pets, watch them when you have older visitors, if you are a senior citizen, or have someone living with you that needs a safe haven.  I had a very dear friend, 97 years old, who had always been very careful about falling, because she was a very tiny lady and concerned about breaking her hip.  While visiting, the owner’s large dog greeted her, and knocked her down.  The result was a broken hip, and she died from complications of the surgery.  (She sweetly said, “it wasn’t the dog’s fault!” )  Another first-hand accident I am aware of was when an 80-year old lady was tripped by a young cat.  She also broke her hip, and required weeks of therapy following surgery.  She was in her early 80’s, and survived.  Our animals don’t intend to hurt someone, but we must be vary careful to avoid these types of accidents.

I hope these ideas will be of help.  Tomorrow, we will continue with more tips.  Please stay tuned………………….