It's time for another edition of Ask the Patch Pro, where each week we tackle a different topic and open up the comments section for questions. Our team of experts stop in to help you out and answer your questions.
This week we're talking about fire safety. What regulations should you follow if you're having a bonfire? How often should you change or check your smoke detectors? What basic fire safety tips should your children know and when?
Patch wants to help you get your questions answered, but we needed some help.
We've compiled a team of experts to help us out. Meet the experts:
- Elena Sabin: American Red Cross Regional Preparedness Education Specialist
- Steven Brown: Assistant Fire Chief Central County Fire Rescue
- Scott Avery: Chief Administrative Officer O'Fallon Fire Protection District
- Matt LaVanchy: Assistant Fire Chief Pattonville Fire Protection District
If you consider yourself a local expert and would like to be added to the list, let us know! jordan.lanham@patch.com
1. Make sure you know where the exits are in all of the rooms of your home (there should be two) 2. Have a meeting place where everyone in the family goes if there is a fire (mine is my neighbor's front yard) 3. Make sure little ones know never to play with matches or lighters. 4. Make sure the escape routes are clear 5. Then definitely have a fire extinguisher that you know how to use
Also- how dangerous are deep fat turkey fryers? The turkeys are SOOOOOO good, but my husband says we'll burn our house down. I'd imagine you shouldn't use one on a wooden deck, but how about on the driveway, away from the house?
As far as turkey fryers go, they can be very dangerous. A quick youtube search will show you how much damage can be done. If you really want to fry a turkey, make sure you turkey is completely thawed and dried (see the previous question about hot oil and water), that you are on a level surface like a drive way and that you are far away from your house or garage or anything flammable.
Oh yes the extingusihers are about 3 years old and the gauges read good. I also have electrical somke detectors with carbon dioxide dection, they also have battery back up.
I do not know of any fire departments in the metro area that service or inspect fire extinguishers. You can look in the Yellow Pages or on-line for a local company to perform the service.