Simple Prevention Steps to Make Your Home Safer

You've heard the old saying, "Safety first." But safety starts with prevention.

Two small but effective prevention devices for every home are working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms. CO poisoning is responsible for approximately 101,847 emergency department visits and at least 430 deaths annually, according to the NFPA.

At least twice a year, make sure the devices that help protect your family are ready to work:

1. Test every smoke alarm by pressing the test button and listening for the alarm.
2. Replace batteries at least once a year and change them right away if an alarm begins chirping. 
3. Check CO detectors regularly, too.
4. Replace smoke alarms and CO detectors at least every 10 years.

Take a few minutes to invest in your family's safety today with these simple steps.