Bottom Line: Upgrades Your Community Can Live With

By Meri-K Appy
October 2006

Home is not only where the heart is; it’s also where the pocket book is. A recent FORBES Magazine article noted that the average American household spends about one-third of its yearly budget on housing. And according to an analysis by the National Association of Home Builders, in 2005 Americans spent an estimated $215 million dollars on residential remodeling projects.

That’s a lot of money! When I read that statistic, I couldn’t help but wonder how much of that investment was for upgrades that could matter most: improving a household’s safety.

Recently, the Home Safety Council teamed up with Colgate to learn more about home improvements for safety. A national poll conducted by Kelton Research revealed that only 7 percent of respondents said they would spend their money on safety upgrades; 25 percent said they would spend it on redecorating and 22 percent on landscaping. The kitchen is the area where American households have made the most safety improvements (28 percent), followed by the bathroom (16 percent).

National polls consistently show that the public tends to underestimate their risk of injury at home, including from fires and burns – the third-leading cause of unintentional home injury death. So I think it’s safe to assume that when it comes time to remodel, many people will concentrate on convenience or style upgrades and miss the opportunity to increase their home’s safety from fire at the same time.

That’s why our nation’s fire and life safety educators need to help people in every community understand why home fires are so dangerous and what each person can do to make his or her home safer from fires and burn injuries. As you prepare to reach out to your community during Fire Safety Month in October, consider advancing the concept of “safety upgrades” to protect what people cherish most in their lives – their loved ones and treasured possessions. New technologies make this easier and more affordable than ever before.

As fire and life safety educators and role models for safety in the community, we should set the example. In recognition of Fire Safety Month 2006, consider ways to take your own home to another – higher – level of fire safety

Teaching About Home Safety Upgrades

Fortunately, when it comes to enhancing fire and burn safety at home, some of the most effective improvements don’t cost a penny, or take much time. Testing smoke alarms monthly, turning the water heater down to 120° F, planning and practicing fire drills, and removing barriers that can slow down an emergency escape – all of these are good examples of the ways families can upgrade their safety for free.

Consider underscoring the importance of these additional home fire safety upgrades:

Smoke Alarms

Every home needs working smoke alarms on each level and inside every sleeping area. For additional protection:

• Install interconnected alarms, hard-wired or wireless
• Install combination smoke and CO detection alarms
• Purchase smoke alarms with strobe lights and/or vibration to alert residents with diminished hearing ability
• Consider installing smoke alarms that allow parents to record their own voices to awaken children
• All smoke alarms that are 8-10 years old or older should be replaced with new units

Home Fire Sprinkler Systems:

• If you are building a new home or renovating an existing home, consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system - the ultimate in home fire protection.

Lighting

• Stock up on flashlights and batteries for emergency lighting
• Replace wax candles with battery-powered candles
• Use UL-listed nightlights

Fire Escape Ladders:

• If you have sleeping areas above the main level of the home, consider buying non-combustible escape ladders for each bedroom on the 2nd or 3rd floors.

HSC Commendation for Product Innovation

The Home Safety Council recognizes that manufacturers play an important role in injury prevention. To encourage their continued efforts to help create safer American homes, HSC identifies and honors deserving companies whose products are first to address important home health and safety advances. In 2005 and 2006, the Home Safety Council presented its Commendation Awards for Product Innovation to several manufacturers whose original products help prevent fire, burn, scald and shock injuries at home. Read about these products now.

For a quick link to a wide range of fire safety information and free materials, visit the Home Safety Council’s Fire Safety Month pages on our Web site.