AURORA, Ill., Sept. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fire safety
experts are answering the call and sounding the alarm this October.
In honor of Fire Prevention Month, First Alert®, public
educators, firefighters and the fire safety industry are coming
together to educate the public about the importance of whole home
safety and having proper protection, such as smoke and carbon
monoxide (CO) alarms, to help protect what matters most.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8848852-first-alert-families-practice-whole-home-safety-fire-prevention-month/
"Whole home safety cannot be overstated, and Fire Prevention
Month is the perfect time of year to review your home's safety
plan," said Ashley Gocken, senior
manager of brand marketing for First Alert. "An effective home
safety plan, including proper installation of smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms, can help make all the difference in an
emergency and help keep your home and family safe from these
preventable tragedies."
First Alert and actor Taylor
Kinney are also joining fire safety advocates across the
country to urge Americans to be ready and knowledgeable to help
prevent injuries and deaths from fire and CO poisoning in a series
of PSAs.
Protect Your Whole Home
To help ensure homes and
families are protected, First Alert offers the following safety
tips and prevention measures.
Every level, every bedroom. Having functioning
alarms installed throughout your home is the first line of defense
for fire prevention. The National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) recommends installing smoke alarms on every
level of the home, including the basement, and inside each bedroom.
CO alarms should also be installed on every level and near each
sleeping area. To put this in perspective, the average-sized home
in America – a two-story, three-bedroom house – needs a minimum of
five smoke alarms and four CO alarms.
"No two situations are alike, so consider your specific needs
when selecting products to enhance your home's safety," Gocken
added. "First Alert offers a variety of alarms to fit any
household's needs. From 10-year battery alarms to voice and
location technology, First Alert provides reliable protection you
can trust."
Test and maintain. The NFPA reports that three out
of five home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke
alarms. Many people assume that because they have alarms in their
homes, they're automatically protected in the event of a fire or CO
incident. In reality, both smoke and CO alarms need to be
maintained and tested regularly to ensure they're working properly.
A consumer survey shows that around half of consumers do not test
their alarms monthly*. Regardless of the type of alarms you
have installed, all smoke and CO alarms should be regularly tested,
and batteries should be replaced every six months.
Alarms don't last forever. Replace outdated units.
If you cannot remember the last time you installed an alarm,
chances are, it's time to replace it. Alarms are on duty 24/7 and
need to be replaced at least every 10 years.
P.A.S.S. fire extinguishers. Research shows that nearly
one-third of consumers do not own a fire extinguisher*. In addition
to smoke and CO alarms, having fire extinguishers – and knowing how
to use them – is an important part of maintaining a safe home for
you and your family. Fire extinguishers should be placed in each
area of the home where a fire could potentially occur, including
the kitchen, living area and garage. Adults in the household should
learn how to properly operate a fire extinguisher using the acronym
P.A.S.S. Simply pull the pin, aim the nozzle at the base of the
fire, squeeze the trigger and sweep from side to side.
Be Knowledgeable and Prepared
Establish an escape
plan. According to the NFPA, only 32% of American households
have developed and practiced an emergency escape plan. Having a
plan of action and practicing it with the entire family at least
twice a year is critical. Identify two ways out of each room,
assign an outdoor meeting spot a safe distance away from your home,
and dedicate someone in the family to assist with pets, elderly
family members and/or infants.
Never leave the kitchen while cooking. The number one
cause of home fires in the United
States is unattended cooking, with ranges or cooktops
accounting for 87% of cooking fire deaths and 78% of cooking fire
injuries, according to the NFPA. With more people cooking comes an
elevated risk for an increase in cooking fires. If you are
simmering, baking, grilling or roasting food, check it regularly,
use a timer for reminders and have a fire extinguisher within
reach.
Fire Safety Near You
To kick-off Fire Prevention
Month, First Alert and Lowe's stores nationwide are joining forces
to directly educate the public about how to protect communities
from the threat of fire and CO.
Select Lowe's stores nationwide will host fire safety events
featuring fire trucks and educational materials to directly educate
people of all ages about the importance of whole home safety this
Fire Prevention Month.
For more information and other resources regarding fire safety
products and tips for protecting your home and family from smoke,
fire and carbon monoxide, visit
www.firstalert.com/firepreventionmonth.
*First Alert Fire Prevention Research Report, February 2021 – Results are based on the
responses of 1,003 adult homeowners, ages 18 and older, living in
the United States who completed an
online survey, February 2021
About BRK Brands, Inc.
BRK Brands, Inc.
(Aurora, IL), is a fully owned
subsidiary of Newell Brands. For
more than 60 years, BRK Brands, Inc. has been the manufacturer of
First Alert®-branded home-safety products, the most
trusted and recognized safety brand in America. BRK®
Brands designs and develops innovative safety solutions including a
comprehensive line of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire
extinguishers and escape ladders to protect what matters
most. Such products are also marketed under the BRK
Electronics® brand, The Professional Standard for the
builder and contractor audiences. BRK Brands, Inc. products
are found in more than 30 countries worldwide. For more
information, visit
http://www.firstalert.com, http://www.brkelectronics.com or
http://www.newellbrands.com.
About Newell
Brands
Newell
Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods
company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including
Rubbermaid®, Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Dymo®, EXPO®, Parker®,
Elmer's®, Coleman®, Marmot®, Oster®, Sunbeam®, FoodSaver®, Mr.
Coffee®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Graco®, Baby Jogger®,
NUK®, Calphalon®, Contigo®, First Alert®, Mapa®, Spontex® and
Yankee Candle®. Newell Brands' beloved, planet friendly brands
enhance and brighten consumers lives at home and outside by
creating moments of joy, building confidence and providing peace of
mind.
Additional information about Newell
Brands is available on the company's website,
www.newellbrands.com.
©2021 BRK Brands, Inc., Aurora,
IL 60504. All rights reserved.
BRK Electronics® is a registered trademark of BRK
Brands, Inc., Aurora, IL
60504.
Nasdaq® is a registered trademark of The Nasdaq Stock
Market, Inc.
Contact: Sara Tatay
or Abigail Cox
L.C. Williams &
Associates
P: 312-565-3900 or
800-837-7123
statay@lcwa.com or
acox@lcwa.com
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SOURCE First Alert