Fire safety isn't just about smoke detectors.

MagentaYenta

Sat, Mar 21 2015, 11:38 pm

Yes you need smoke detectors in your rooms and hallways, and if you own gas appliances be sure to install co2 detectors as well.

Pay attention to how much power your small kitchen appliances draw. If you put an appliance that draws 20 amps on a 15 amp circuit you'll have problems.

Check your breakers, make sure they are up to code and you are not depending on older unsafe aluminum switches.

Have exit plans and fire drills with your family. Plan some and do some as a surprise. Make sure windows on both upper and lower stories can open in case of emergency. Buy fire ladders for the second story of your home and practice using them with your family. Teach your children about how to open a door when a smoke alarm goes off.

Your local fire department is an educational asset. Use them, they would rather be teaching you how to be fire safe then answering a call to your home.

Mevater

Sat, Mar 21 2015, 11:54 pm

Yes its best to do whatever you can, to be as safe as you possibly can, but it wont eliminate tragedy. You can have the most updated modern appliances and they can malfunction and go up in flames. I still remember the deaths of children in one family in Willy bec of a Blech and silver foil all around, over Pesach. Rabbonim should be very careful not to increase risk by suggesting extra Chumros.

Short of having someone stand guard in the kitchen all Shabbos and all Yom Tov, 24/7, we are really increasing risk, using appliances over night, and sometimes over three days when most of these appliances arent designed to be used two or three days straight, or even one day straight.

Theres no answer, and we are at greatly increased risk over the secular population, if we want to be Shomer Shabbos and Yom Tov and have warm food to eat. Statistically, fires happen from overuse, and all the detectors in the world cant stop fires, only give us some earlier notice that the fires are ongoing. Better than nothing, but still not eliminating the fire.

Scary.