Home Safety and Security 8.02 Home Safety and Security

Fire Safety: Smoke Detectors Sends a loud warning signal if a fire starts Easy to install Should be placed on each floor of home/building Usually battery operated, should be checked every 6 months to one year

Fire Extinguisher Classified by type of burning materials they handle, should be placed in kitchens, garages, basements, on each floor of house/building. Class A: paper, wood, fabric, other “ordinary combustibles”, made from WATER Class B: liquids (cooking oil/grease), gases, paints, solvents, made from FOAM, CHEMICAL, DRY-POWDER Class C: electrical fires, made from CARBON DIOXIDE

Home Security: LOCKS Deadbolts: lock bolt that unlocks by turning a knob or key without the action of a spring. For safety, use a lock that requires that a key be used to open from inside and outside. Bolt should extend into the doorjamb a minimum of 1 inch. Doors with this type lock cannot be opened with a credit card or screwdriver

Locks (con’t) Spring locks: commonly found on interior doors. Usually a lock on the door knob that turns to lock from one side. Can be opened from opposite side Window locks: usually the thumb-turn lock found on double-hung windows can easily be pried open. Add keyed locks to windows on lower floors, but avoid these locks on bedroom windows because they can slow escaping from a fire

ALARMS Electronic system that can be triggered by attempts to force open a door or window. Can be very simple (barking dog sound, loud siren) or complex (motion detector, electric eyes, intercom system). Can be set by family with a particular code. If alarm is activated, company monitoring the system will contact police/fire.

BIMETRICS Identification of an individual by a unique physical characteristic (fingerprints, pattern of eye iris, vein patterns in hand)  

TOUCH PADS Used to enter a specific code to open a door such as garage or activate an alarm system inside the home

DOOR VIEWER Piece of hardware installed with a lens in order to see who is on the other side of the door. Best to place 2 heights so children can see as well as adults.

Lighting for Safety: Motion Sensors Lighting that is set to come on when there is any motion within set number of feet from light. Can be set off by any movement and will stay on for specified amount of time (usually 5 minutes). Generally placed outdoors at corners of house, over garage door, near storage buildings,etc.

Timers Used to turn lights or other electronic devises on and off at certain times of the day and nights. Each timer can be set differently in each room to give the appearance of movement inside the home.

UL SEAL (Underwriters Laboratories) found on all electrical items to show that the item meets certain safety standards when used properly.