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Frequently Asked Questions
If you cut a few inches off of the bottom of the tree trunk, this will expose the fresh wood and will allow for better water absorption. Also, heat from inside the home can dry out live trees very easily, so be sure that the tree’s stand is always filled with water.
Don't mount it too close to where a fire is likely to occur. For example, don't keep it next to the stove. A good place is at the top of the stairs or near a workshop. In most cases, it's a good idea to have a fire extinguisher for every 600 square feet of living
The best thing you can do when purchasing a tree is make sure it is fresh. The first and easiest test is to look at its color. Fresh trees should be green. Secondly, test the needles. Pull and bend the needles. Needles on a fresh tree are not easily pulled from branches and should not break when bent. Thirdly, check the bottom of the tree’s trunk. If it’s fresh, this will be sticky with resin. Click here to see how to help make your tree last longer this holiday season.
Only if the wall plate screw is grounded.
Generally, more expensive padlocks are heavier and more durable. Both of those characteristics provide greater security.
Your room-by-room fire hazard checklist should include:
Living Room
Open the flue or damper before starting a fire in your fireplace, every time.
Keep all flammables at least three feet away from the fireplace.
Place a sturdy fireplace screen in front of the fireplace.
Have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional at least once a year.
Keep candles and lamps at least one foot away from your curtains.
Use safety caps to cover all unused outlets.
Use large, deep ashtrays. Never leave a burning cigarette unattended.
Bedroom
Never use candles in your bedroom.
Keep all lamps free of flammable materials.
Don’t run electrical cords under rugs.
Replace and repair loose or frayed electrical cords.
Don’t allow permanent use of extension cords.
Don’t staple or nail electrical cords.
Never smoke in bed.
Never leave heavy objects on the bed when an electric blanket is in use.
Install a carbon monoxide alarm near bedrooms.
Bathroom
Don’t overload outlets with cords from too many appliances. Plug them in one at a time.
If an outlet or switch feels unusually warm, stop using it and call an electrician.
Never set hot appliances on flammable materials.
Unplug all appliances when done using them.
Make sure cords from appliances are not getting pinched in drawers.
Keep towels and other flammables at least three feet away from space heaters.
Hallway
Install ceiling-mounted smoke alarms that are at least four inches away from the walls on every level of your home.
Ensure smoke alarms are UL listed.
Wall-mounted smoke alarms should be installed four to 12 inches away from the ceiling.
Don’t install smoke alarms near windows, doors or ducts.
Test your smoke alarms once a month.
Vacuum your smoke alarms every six months.
Change your smoke alarm batteries at least once a year. Make sure batteries are always in smoke alarms.
Kitchen
If you have a fire extinguisher, be sure you are properly trained to use it.
Make sure the fire extinguisher is for multi-purpose use.
Keep the fire extinguisher in a place where it is easy to access.
Never leave anything on the stove or under the broiler unattended.
Keep the cooking area clear of items that can burn.
Maintain a three-foot kid-free and pet-free zone around the stove.
Avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing while you are cooking.
Basement
Have your heating system serviced once a year before cold weather begins.
When buying a new unit, have a qualified technician install it or check that it was installed properly.
Choose a heating device with an automatic shutoff feature.
Make sure your clothes dryer is installed and serviced by a professional.
Have a gas-powered dryer inspected by a professional at least once a year to check flexible gas lines for damage and proper connection, and to ensure all piping is free of leaks.
Keep areas around heating sources clear of debris and insulated from the heating source.
Be sure to clean the lint tray in your dryer before each use and check around the drum for any accumulated lint.
Do not store clothing or other combustibles any closer than one foot from the dryer.
Do not let your dryer continue running when you leave your home.
It's a safety device that shuts off the power if a wire in an outlet develops a leak that could electrocute someone. This hazard is so serious that the National Electrical Code requires all new homes be equipped with them in the bathroom, kitchen, workroom, outdoor, basement, garage and swimming pool circuits.
Need to know how to install a ground fault interrupter?
First, not all power strips have surge protectors. If you’re not worried about electrical appliances or equipment being harmed by a sudden surge of electricity, a normal power strip will work fine. However, look for the words “surge protection” on the packaging of power strips if you have expensive electronics that you want to protect from surges (which can easily damage or ruin the delicate circuitry of electronics such as TVs, computers, stereos, etc.).
Think about the electronics you want to protect and make sure you choose the best surge protector to fit your needs.
Everything you need for hanging holiday lights is at your local Westlake Ace Hardware, including lights, replacement bulbs, fuses, extension cords, ground fault circuit interrupter (CFCI) outlets (which are outlets that shut off power when they detect a short circuit), light timer, ladder, light clips and electrical tape. Click here for a printable version of this list.
If you’re protecting yourself from dust or pollen, disposable dust masks are sufficient.
If you’re dealing with large volumes of airborne matter such as wood dust, drywall dust or masonry dust, you need more than a mask. You need a respirator.
The dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) gas have been far too apparent over the years, as countless deaths occur annually as a result of CO inhalation. Without the proper detection equipment, there's virtually no way you'd be aware that this colorless, odorless, tasteless gas was affecting you and your family.
Scientifically speaking, carbon monoxide is caused by the incomplete combustion of carbon containing compounds in circumstances where oxygen supply is limited. In other words, low oxygen in the combustion (burning) environment prevents the gaseous byproduct from being turned into carbon dioxide (CO2), and if you're breathing air right now, you know CO2 is not as dangerous as CO.
The most common "offenders" in the creation of this dangerous gas are all around us: exhaust from cars and other motor vehicles with internal combustion engines, wood-burning stoves, portable camping stoves and other propane-fueled equipment, even house fires.
Invest in a CO detector for your home, keep it up-to-date with battery changes, and listen to it... if the alarm sounds, take it seriously.
Fruitcake isn't the only holiday health hazard lurking in your home. Here's a seasonal survival guide.
As the holidays near, we scramble to buy last-minute gifts, decorate the house, and plan parties and get-togethers. In the rush, however, many of us abandon our sense of safety. Who among us, for instance, hasn't stood on their tip-toes on top of a rickety ladder to hang lights? Or strung strand after strand together until we've overloaded an outlet, which can start a fire?
This season, let's help everyone be a little safer around the home. Let's start with ladders; which pose the greatest risk of all, especially as we hang lights and decorations inside and out. Last year, there were an estimated 171,000 ladder-related accidents in the U.S., according to the American Ladder Institute, which is an astounding number. We're not always careful with them, to say the least, and think nothing of using old relics that have been handed down to us from our parents, broken rungs and all. It's time to put this foolishness to an end:
Position extension ladders correctly. For stability, an extension ladder has to be planted with its feet one-quarter of its extended length away from the house. This is not tricky to calculate. If you've got a 12-foot ladder, it has to be positioned 3 feet from the house.Don't carry a ladder upright as you move it. This is a maneuver best saved for the clowns at the circus. You could easily lose control of it in this position, crashing furniture inside, and smashing windows, gutters and even power lines outside. Instead, lower it and carry it parallel to the ground.Make sure the ladder is positioned on a level surface. Don't try to use rocks or bricks to prop up one side of it; those will surely pop out as you're climbing up.
OK, so now you won't end up as a Ladder Institute statistic, but don't celebrate with the eggnog just yet. We've still got the lighting issue to address. The key here is not to overload an electrical outlet, especially if you have only a single outdoor outlet that you use to power a dozen strings of lights and a few spotlights. Attempt this, and the result will be more like the Fourth of July than Christmas, as sparks and smoke fill the night sky. To do things right:
Follow the instructions on the strands of lights. These will tell you how many can be connected together and plugged into a single outlet. This is typically only two or three, not 10 or 12.Make sure outdoor lights are plugged into a GFCI receptacle. That's the one with the reset button in the center for safety. If you don't have one outdoors, have the outlet replaced or purchase a "plug in" adapter. This cord system is about 2 feet long and will protect against electrocution if there's a short circuit.
One other thing: Be careful with lit candles. Don't put them near combustibles, such as that evergreen spray in the center of the dining room table. And remember to blow them out when the party's over. A trick my wife and I use to remember this is to set the timer on the stove to go off just around the time when we think the party will have ended. This reminds us to extinguish the candles before we go to bed.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the air inside our homes may be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. What's surprising is that this statistic does not exclude newer homes, which can actually test higher than older residences in terms of poor indoor air quality.
In a rush to conserve energy in the 1970s, builders, architects and designers began building tighter homes with energy efficient windows and doors and thicker insulation in an effort to seal out potential drafts. While we succeeded in lowering the cost of energy bills, we ended up adding to the problem of trapping volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - harmful fumes caused by leftover building products, furniture, animal dander, and indoor mildew and mold - inside our homes.
Today, Americans spend millions of dollars each year on indoor air filtration systems. We purchase everything from small, tabletop models to whole-house units for our homes. And yet, even with all the information available on the market, there is major debate on which ones truly work the best.
Below are five steps that you can take to improve your home's indoor air quality . By following these steps and coupling them with the right indoor air purifying unit, you'll breathe a lot easier in your own home.
Step One -- Test your home for possible contaminants.
Today, there are a number of in-home test kits available to assess everything from lead on walls and in your drinking water, to asbestos and radon gas. And utilizing these inexpensive kits can give you the peace of mind of knowing that you and your family are safe.
Step Two -- If you have a forced air heating system, have the air ducts cleaned regularly and upgrade to better furnace air filters.
Homeowners often ask, "Is cleaning my air ducts worth it?" The answer is yes. Even if your home is new, you may have more internal construction debris and dust than a home that is 10 to 15 years old. When getting your air ducts cleaned, make sure the contractor is a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (www.nadca.com), and uses not only high velocity air, but a whip that is fed through the ductwork to loosen any debris stuck to the walls of the sheet-metal. The average cost to clean ductwork in your home is about $300 to $500, but the results are well worth the expense.
In conjunction, for many of us, the furnace filter is a spun glass filter that costs less than a dollar. While this filter will protect the blower motor, it will do next to nothing when it comes to improving your indoor air quality. Upgrade to a pleated filter that captures smaller particles so small that even the naked eye cannot see. The key is to change them regularly - every couple of months should do - to prevent to the restriction of airflow through your heating system.
Step Three -- Keep your home as clean as possible.
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), an estimated 57 million Americans suffer from severe allergies and asthma and keeping your home as clean as possible can dramatically improve the air you breathe. Dusting window treatments, around window and door trim and those out-of-reach areas can make a huge impact. Use a bagless vacuum cleaner that utilizes a HEPA filter to maximize your cleaning power and avoid the plume of dust that occurs when you'd otherwise change the bag.
Step Four -- Consider purchasing an indoor air purifier.
Because they can vary in performance, size and cost, it's important that you find the right purifier to fit your needs. There are a number of Web sites you can turn to for help. One of the industry standards is put forth by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers' (AHAM) Air Cleaner Council (www.aham.org). There, testing helps set certain parameters so that all purification units are measured against the same criteria. If you're thinking of a particular model and in search of its product rating guide, visit www.cadr.org for the unit's "clean air delivery rate." In turn, take advantage of the 30-day free trial offer many manufacturers offer. By the end of 30 days, you'll know if you are breathing easier and if the unit is worth the investment.
HEPA filtration (High Efficiency Particulate Air) is one of the most common approaches to cleaning the air. A good quality HEPA filtering system can be up to 99.97 percent efficient at filtering particulates that are 0.3 microns from the air. This filtering system has been widely used and accepted by organizations promoting indoor air quality standards to clean the indoor air of smoke, dust, pollen, mold spores and pet dander.
Portable units, when sized correctly, can do a good job of cleaning the air in a particular room. But the key is to make sure that unit is sized for the square footage of that room. In addition, the faster the fan runs, the more air is exchanged through the unit. While this does increase the noise, the units will work much better.
HEPA room purifiers can range in price from $30 to $300. These units use a modular filter system which makes finding and installing the filters much easier.
Step Five -- Protect your family by installing a carbon monoxide detector.
It used to be that smoke detectors were enough to protect your family. However, in recent years, homeowners across America have been taking safety a step further by installing carbon monoxide detectors in their homes.
When installing a carbon monoxide detector, remember that the placement of that detector is key. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends it be located near the sleeping area, where it can wake you if you are asleep; however, additional detectors on every level and in every bedroom of a home provides extra protection.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), who sponsors Fire Prevention Week (the week of Oct. 9), reports that while 95 percent of U.S. homes have smoke alarms, 70 percent of home fire deaths occur where there is no working alarm. What's more, about half of the 2,670 people killed in home fires in 2002 died between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., the prime sleep hours, even though only one-fourth of home fires occurred during those times. Those most affected by the lack of warning are young children and the elderly.
Indeed, these are frightening statistics. But there is something you can do to help prevent fires and detect them before they get out of control. After all, safety should never take a vacation, and planning for an emergency just makes good sense. Here are some tips to ensure that you and your family are safe and secure:
Smoke Alarms
Install them if you have none, and check the ones you do have. Press the test button once a month and change batteries every year. Also, smoke alarms older than 10 years are more likely to fail. Consider installing one of the newest alarm innovations that features both a voice and alarm warning.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms
Equally as important as smoke alarms is having a unit that will alert you of high levels of carbon monoxide in the home. Check the unit's packaging and also with your local fire department to learn more about what constitutes a hazardous CO reading. Some manufacturers now offer units that combine smoke and CO protection.
Heating Equipment
Heating equipment is a leading factor in home fires during winter months. Be sure to have furnaces serviced by a reputable inspector, cleaned and maintained each fall before cold weather sets in. When operating portable or fixed space heaters, be conscious to keep them away from items that could ignite, including drapes and articles of clothing.
Personal Habits
Be conscious of where you are when you do the things you do. Smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths, sending bedding, trash and furniture up in flames. More fires start in the kitchen than any other place in the home, so keep a watchful eye on what you're cooking. Candle fires have tripled over the last 10 years, with some 40 percent of those fires beginning in a bedroom.
Flammables
Ensure that flammables, such as gasoline, kerosene and paints, are kept in proper containers, tightly sealed and stored away from heat and flame. Never store any of those items near a furnace or hot water heater, and be sure to follow manufacturer instructions on storing these types of products.
Extinguishers
Many small home fires can be taken care of using a fire extinguisher before they get out of hand. The National Safety Council's Web site, www.nsc.org, suggests keeping an extinguisher rated for grease and electrical fires in the kitchen. Also place properly-rated units near the furnace and in the garage. One thing to remember, though, is that extinguishers do not last forever. Even if the needle is "in the green," plan on replacing the unit about every three years.
Escape Plan and Practice
Whether you already have a plan mapped out or you need to develop a new one, use Fire Safety Week as a good excuse to do something worthwhile. You can find detailed information on the NFPA Web site: www.firepreventionweek.org .
Adequate light is essential for visitors and trick-or-treaters to see where they are going. If you plan on welcoming trick-or-treaters, leave the porch light on.
Make sure your property is well lit. All lighting should be grounded. Keep walkways clear. When it comes to jack-o-lanterns, safety first. Make sure your little trick-or-treaters are visible to drivers. Keep your pets inside. Assure you have home security. Test Your Smoke Alarms.
There are two kinds of security systems. A perimeter security system protects a home by placing sensors on doors and windows that sound an alarm when the system is armed and someone tries to gain entry into the home. An area security system uses heat or motion detectors to sense someone’s presence once they’re inside. Many homeowners install both types of systems for maximum security.
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