Stay Safe This Fall With Fire Tips For Your Home

Protecting your home from a fire is simple and a matter of keeping up to date on a few things. From your fireplace to your smoke detector, brush up on these easy home fire safety tips to keep your family out of danger.

Check Your Heat Sources

Before cold air moves in, evaluate your heat sources and make sure they're not at risk for starting a fire. Fuel-burning heat sources like your furnace, fireplace, heaters and chimneys should be inspected every year by a professional before use. 

Find the Right Fire Extinguisher

Once you've located your extinguishers, check the date. Any extinguishers over six years old should be replaced. When you purchase a new one, write the date on it so you can keep track in the future.  

Get Smart About Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors don't have to be that annoying thing that chirps every once in a while -- they're an important tool in your home for keep you safe. Learn to love your smoke detector by brushing up on how to care for it. The batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors should be replaced after seven to 10 years. If remembering to replace the batteries on your smoke and CO detectors is too much, consider getting a new detector that has a 10-year battery life. By the time you need to replace the battery, it will be time to replace the whole unit.