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Learn more about sprinklers from the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition.
For a silly take on this topic, enjoy this great video.
There are time-tested ways to prevent and survive a fire. It's not a question of luck. It's a matter of planning ahead.
A working smoke alarm is an inexpensive way to double your chances of survival in a fire. Test it monthly, keep it free of dust and replace the battery at least once a year. Learn more
In a fire, there's no time to figure out how to get everyone out of your home. Make a plan now, before you need it. Learn more
Practice an escape plan from every room in the house. Caution everyone to stay low to the floor when escaping from fire and never to open doors that are hot. Select a location where everyone can meet after escaping the house. Get out then call for help.
Never overload circuits or extension cords. Do not place cords and wires under rugs, over nails or in high traffic areas. Immediately shut off and unplug appliances that sputter, spark or emit an unusual smell. Have them professionally repaired or replaced.
When using appliances follow the manufacturer's safety precautions. Overheating, unusual smells, shorts and sparks are all warning signs that appliances need to be shut off, then replaced or repaired. Unplug appliances when not in use. Use safety caps to cover all unused outlets, especially if there are small children in the home.
After the Fourmile Canyon fire burned 169 homes west of Boulder last September, many fire survivors were shocked to learn that their insurance coverage was not enough to cover the full cost of rebuilding. Watch this excellent short video, produced by Boulder County, to learn how you can avoid this financial disaster if you are ever faced with a total-loss fire.
And if you rent a home, please buy renter's insurance. It's a low-cost way to replace your possessions if the unthinkable happens to you. Some of the survivors of the Fourmile Canyon fire were renters who lost everything because they were uninsured.
Two free downloadable publications can help you be better prepared: “Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value: Understanding the Insurance Value of Your Home”) and “Home Inventory Checklist”.
If you were to lose everything in your home to a fire today, your insurance company will ask you to fill out a document showing what you lost. A thorough set of pictures will help you file your claim and help establish the presence and condition of furniture, electronics and other items in your home.
Take a picture of every room in your house from all four corners. Don’t forget to include bathrooms, closets, storage areas and the garage. Download those photos to a disk and store them someplace other than your home. You can also use an online file storage system.
Take a new set of photos at least once a year, or when you ’ve had major changes in your home's contents or furnishings.