27 Jun Your North Carolina Home and Fire Safety: Simple Tips for Success
We’ve all seen this in the news, and some of us have experienced the effects of an uptick in ravaging wildfires. While all McCarthy metal roofs are fire-resistant, we want to touch on several steps you can take to prepare for emergencies.
First, preparation doesn’t have to be expensive or extreme. Simple steps can make a big difference, and simply having a plan is a good start. We enlisted a seasoned expert for his take on fire safety and prevention in your home.
Derek Gruchy is a 20-year veteran of the fire industry and a professor at Seneca College of Fire Protection Engineering Technology with a master’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering. He’s also an internationally certified Fire Inspector, Fire Service Instructor, and Fire and Life Safety Educator.
Here’s what Derek Gruchy wants you to know about your home and fire safety:
“Lethal fires take place at home.
Most deaths occurring from fire happen at a residential property. One of the big reasons is that we don’t have sprinklers in those places.
Some people can be at higher risk.
As we age, our mobility can decline. You may have medical conditions that make it hard to get through the evacuation process.
The kitchen is the most common location for a fire.
Fire in the home most often happens because of cooking. So focus when cooking dinner, watch it, and be there. Please don’t put it on the oven and leave because that’s when the oil can boil over, or a fire can start, and then it gets to the cabinets, and we get in a lot of trouble. d
Evacuation has to be immediate.
Fires have gotten a lot bigger, a lot faster. So, if you hear a smoke alarm, get out and worry about it being a false alarm later. Delaying just 2 minutes can be too long, and you’re trapped inside.
Easy tips to improve your home’s fire safety:
Get notified of a fire by the smoke alarm you’re regularly checking and testing, changing the batteries at least twice a year, depending on your type of alarm.
Make sure your bedroom door is closed when you go to bed. Then, if a fire starts, the smoke is protected from entering your room. If the fire is in your room, get out. Even a door that’s not fire-rated provides significant time to figure a way out of that danger.
Modern materials deal with fire differently.
Fire is a lot worse with the building materials used today. Old cabinets were solid oak or solid pine. Now, they’re sawdust held together with glue and laminated with something that looks like a nice wood. Maybe it’s even plastic. When that ignites, the fire runs rampant.
There are downsides to open-concept homes.
Everyone wants to remove walls so they can see their fridge from every room in the house. That’s great when we’re having parties, but when a fire starts, there’s no break for that fire. As it gets bigger, the more smoke it produces, and if there are no walls to prevent that from happening, like a closed bedroom door, that smoke gets everywhere very fast. “
Now that you’ve heard from an expert take action and implement these tips:
- While simple, keeping your bedroom door closed at night and your smoke detector batteries replenished may save your life.
- The first few minutes of a fire are a crucial time to leave. Evacuate immediately, don’t waste time trying to pack up valuables.
How does a McCarthy metal roof offer fire protection?
- A McCarthy metal roof is fire resistant to burning embers from nearby fires that may land on your roof. Typical petroleum-based asphalt roofs and wooden shakes encourage flying embers to become flames.
- In the event of an interior fire, the low weight of our aluminum roofing with interlocking panels and concealed fastening significantly reduces the risk of the roof caving in.
- Learn more about how asphalt shingles fail at protecting your home from all climate-related threats.
When you’re ready for your next roof, consider fire prevention. And please, contact our knowledgeable customer service team for answers to your questions about protecting your home from nature’s damage while maximizing your investment. We’re here to help homeowners and promise a friendly conversation without pressure or obligation. Connect with our roofing specialists today.