Practice Worry-Free Fire Safety in 2015!

A new law went into effect at the beginning of 2015 that all Florida homeowners should be aware of. This law requires homeowners to replace any battery-operated smoke alarm more than ten years old with a unit powered by a ten-year sealed-in battery. I know I speak for the masses when I say how incredibly annoying smoke alarms that need a new battery can be. That chirp can aggravate anybody, but whomever designed it knew what they were doing. If anything spurs people to change the battery, it's that sound. Unfortunately, many people remove the battery and then for whatever reason don't replace it. That's not safe!

Working smoke alarms allow families to evacuate at the first sound of the alarm in the event of a home fire, saving lives. The new Kidde Worry-Free Smoke Alarms have a long-life sealed-in battery, making them tamper resistant. I am writing this sponsored post on behalf of Kidde because the bottom line is that smoke alarms are necessary and I’m happy that most new models are a sealed-in battery that lasts 10 years. The longer they last, the less often we have to hear that chirp. I don't know about you, but my smoke alarms aren't easy to reach. The long lasting battery in the Kidde Worry-Free Smoke Alarms takes the worry out of changing batteries every six months.

Fire safety is something that was drilled into me and I in turn drilled into my family. Kidde's site has a lot of great tips on how to keep your family safe. Make sure your family's fire safety class is always open by installing ten-year sealed-in smoke alarms as well as some other helpful steps.

1. Place fire extinguishers within reach on every level of your home. The last thing you want to do is run into the basement for a fire that's upstairs. Those are precious seconds you don't want to waste on locating a fire extinguisher. They should be installed close to exits, in the kitchen, as well as the garage. Also place them in any location where a fire might start. Fire extinguishers should be replaced after use or twelve years. Make sure the unit is pressurized and that all family members capable of using one have been instructed on how to properly put out a fire.
2. Install carbon monoxide alarms on each floor, especially near bedrooms. Test these alarms monthly! Always replace any outdated alarms and ensure the they meet quality standards.
3. Create an escape plan and practice it! Each family member should know every possible way out of every room. Escape ladders should be placed in upstairs rooms. Assign a buddy! Older children should help younger children or family members with mobility or health issues. Determine a place to regroup such as the end of the driveway or the neighbor's.

How do you practice fire safety? If you'd like to win a Kidde Worry-Free Fire Safety alarm, leave a comment below telling me where you'd put it in your home!

This giveaway is open to US residents and ends at midnight on March 1st, 2015.