Good Safety Habits; Develop And Practice A Plan Of Escape - Kidde 29D User Manual

0306-7210-00_R2:_
• Smoke alarms are devices that can provide early warning of possible fires at a
reasonable cost; however, alarms have sensing limitations. Ionization sensing alarms
may detect invisible fire particles (associated with fast flaming fires) sooner than
photoelectric alarms. Photoelectric sensing alarms may detect visible fire particles
(associated with slowsmoldering fires) sooner than ionization alarms. Home fires
develop in different ways and are often unpredictable. For maximum protection, Kidde
recommends that both Ionization and Photoelectric alarms be installed.
• A battery powered alarm must have a battery of the specified type, in good condition
and installed properly.
• AC powered alarms (without battery backup) will not operate if the AC power has been
cut off, such as by an electrical fire or an open fuse.
• Smoke alarms must be tested regularly to make sure the batteries and the alarm circuits
are in good operating condition.
• Smoke alarms cannot provide an alarm if smoke does not reach the alarm. Therefore,
smoke alarms may not sense fires starting in chimneys, walls, on roofs, on the other
side of a closed door or on a different floor.
• If the alarm is located outside the sleeping room or on a different floor, it may not wake
up a sound sleeper.
• The use of alcohol or drugs may also impair one's ability to hear the smoke alarm. For
maximum protection, a smoke alarm should be installed in each sleeping area on every
level of a home.
• Although smoke alarms can help save lives by providing an early warning of a fire, they
are not a substitute for an insurance policy. Home owners and renters should have
adequate insurance to protect their lives and property

8. GOOD SAFETY HABITS

DEVELOP AND PRACTICE A PLAN OF ESCAPE

• Make a floor plan indicating all doors and windows and at least two (2) escape routes
from each room. Second story windows may need a rope or chain ladder.
• Have a family meeting and discuss your escape plan, showing everyone what to do in
case of fire.
• Determine a place outside your home where you all can meet if a fire occurs.
• Familiarize everyone with the sound of the smoke alarm and train them to leave your
home when they hear it
• Practice a fire drill at least every six months, including fire drills at night. Ensure that
small children hear the alarm and wake when it sounds. They must wake up in order
to execute the escape plan. Practice allows all occupants to test your plan before an
emergency. You may not be able to reach your children. It is important they know what
to do.
• Install and maintain fire extinguishers on every level of the home and in the kitchen,
basement and garage. Know how to use a fire extinguisher prior to an emergency.
• Current studies have shown smoke alarms may not awaken all sleeping individuals, and
that it is the responsibility of individuals in the household that are capable of assisting
others to provide assistance to those who may not be awakened by the alarm sound,
or to those who may be incapable of safely evacuating the area unassisted.
• There are situations where a smoke alarm may not be effective to protect against fire.
For instance:
- Smoking in bed.
- Leaving children unsupervised.
- Cleaning with flammable liquids, such as gasoline.
- Fires where the victim is intimate with a flaming initiated fire; for example, when a
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