KU EHS October Safety Tip: October is Fire Safety Month

Have an awesome autumn with these fire and fall safety tips

The cool autumn breezes and vibrant fall foliage call for afternoons spent outdoors and cozy nights by the fire pit. But the change in season can also bring new hazards. Here are some safety tips to help keep your home and family safe this fall.

October is Fire Prevention Month

While it’s important to practice fire safety all year-round, this month (and Fire Prevention Week, October 6–12) offers us the perfect opportunity to share some of our top tips:

1. Check the batteries in your Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Or, consider adding them to your ADT system if they aren’t already. Early detection is critical when every second counts, and ADT-monitored smoke and carbon detection can help ensure you get the help you need, when you need it.
2. Check your other battery-powered ADT sensors while you’re at it. Check the batteries in your Door/Window Sensors, Motion Sensors or any other battery-powered devices that are part of your ADT system.
3. Don’t leave candles unattended. Be sure to keep them away from unsupervised children and pets. Always remember to blow out any lit candles before bed.
4. Have a professional inspect your heating system before you start using it. A malfunctioning furnace poses a serious fire risk and can also allow dangerous carbon monoxide fumes to leak into your home. Your Google Nest Thermostat can let you know when it detects a problem with your forced air heating system*. If you see this alert, call a professional HVAC technician.
5. A Nest Cam (indoor, wired) can tell you more about what’s going on inside your home. Check in from virtually anywhere to feel more secure†.
6. Use space heaters responsibly. Never plug space heaters into extension cords, as they can be easily overloaded. Use a surge protector if possible, and keep your space heater at least three feet from furniture, curtains, gas cans or anything else that can burn.
7. Make your fire escape plan—and practice it regularly. If a fire breaks out in your home, you may only have a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. It’s important to have an escape plan, so everyone knows what to do and where to go.

Help stay safe as the temps (and leaves) drop

1. Practice ladder safety when clearing your gutters or hanging decorations.
2. Clean up fallen leaves promptly. Leaves on sidewalks and walkways can lead to slips and falls, and piles of fallen leaves are an ideal habitat for ticks and other bugs and animals. Wear long sleeves and pants when raking.
3. Watch out for autumn hazards on the road. Between fallen leaves and rainy and foggy weather, fall driving requires extra caution. Stay alert on the road at all times—especially when kids and school buses are traveling to and from school.
4. Get your vehicles ready for the winter months. Cold weather can take a toll on your car. Make sure to replace your wiper blades, refill your fluids, check your tire pressure and restock your car’s emergency kit.

Remember to practice these fire prevention and safety tips to help you enjoy the fall season with friends and family.

*Alerts can notify you of a potential issue with an eligible HVAC system. They’re meant to provide helpful information, not an endorsement, representation, or warranty of any kind about the health of your HVAC system. Alerts aren’t intended to replace a diagnosis by a qualified HVAC professional.

†Some features, including mobile notifications, remote control, video streaming, and video recording, require working internet and Wi-Fi.

Google, Nest, Nest Thermostat and Nest Cam are trademarks of Google LLC.

Some features, including mobile notifications, remote control, video streaming and video recording, require working internet and Wi-Fi. Minimum OS requirements are available at g.co/home/req. iOS is a trademark of Cisco and is used under license. Google Nest products and services featured are designed to make life easier and to build a helpful home and were not designed specifically for life-sustaining or safety-critical use cases. These products and services depend upon working internet, Wi-Fi, and, in some cases, the service availability from Google.