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Empower Your Kids: Top 15 Life-Saving Fire Safety Tips & Skills

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Fire safety tips for kids and families should start with education and awareness. Both are critical factors when discussing emergency and life-saving measures. Here are 15 life-saving fire safety tips and skills to teach kids, help your family in an emergency, and keep everyone safe.

But first, it’s essential to understand that a fire can start in or around your home in many ways.

THE TOP CAUSES OF HOUSE FIRES:

  • Unattended cooking in the kitchen
  • Heating appliances, including fireplaces
  • Electrical fires from faulty wiring
  • Careless smoking
  • Unattended candles
  • Poorly managed outdoor fires
  • Incorrectly stored flammable liquids
  • Christmas trees and decorations

Knowing how your kids will respond, with or without supervision, to these fire emergencies will save lives and property. If you haven’t considered it, NOW is the time to enlighten your family members with life-saving fire safety tips!

This advice and these drills can be broken into three categories. The first has to do with:

EQUIPMENT AND PLANNING:

  1. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
  2. Discuss a family’s “Fire Escape Plan”
  3. Practice fire drills
  4. Fire extinguisher training
  5. Memorize emergency numbers

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Teach your children what the smoke alarms sound like. Get in the habit of testing your smoke alarms and changing the batteries twice a year. Do it when you turn your clocks from standard to daylight savings time and vice versa. Or, do it on the first of the year and the 1st of July. Or, maybe change them out on the summer and winter solstice. The point is to do it regularly.

Escape plan: When developing a fire escape plan, make sure to have the whole family involved. Here are some points you can cover as a suggestion:

  • Have a family meeting spot.
  • Discuss escape routes using different scenarios.
  • How would you get out of the house in the morning? At mealtime? How about in the middle of the night?
  • What if Mom and Dad were not home? Or if you were alone.

Practice Fire Drills: Involving the whole family can make it a ‘fun’ experience for the kids. For example, you could review the family escape plan when you change the smoke detector batteries twice a year. Practice your escape plan with your family members and help them understand how serious a house fire can be.

If yours is a two or three-story house and the stairway is blocked, is there an emergency rope ladder that could be hung from a window? The National Fire Protection Association and other safety associations strongly recommend that each occupied room above the main floor have an escape ladder. They are compact and easy to store. Are your older kids able to assist and help supervise the younger ones?

Fire Extinguisher Training: Teach your older, more responsible kids how to use a fire extinguisher. This includes using the P.A.S.S procedure, which shows how to pull the safety pin, where to point an extinguisher, and how long it will last. Please ensure it’s easily located, charged, and ready to use.

CHILDREN’S DO’S AND DON’T IF A FIRE BREAKS OUT:

  • Don’t hide, seek help
  • Get out, stay out & stay alive
  • Leave belongings behind
  • Stay low in smoke
  • Do not open hot closed doors

Scared and younger children may tend to hide during a fire. Emphasize, especially to the youngest, to “get out and stay out” of a burning house.

Parents Notes: Do not return to retrieve any prized belongings. The important papers, those memorable photos, that expensive artwork on the wall, or a little one’s favorite stuffed animal isn’t worth the risk. “Stuff” can be replaced, but lives cannot.

Also, remember there’s less smoke near the floor. So, crawl if you have to. If a door feels hot, do not open it. It’s essential to quickly and efficiently account for all family members.

When you’re safely out of a burning building, stay out. Have an assigned meeting place outside. Only trained firefighters should enter a home that’s on fire.

OUTDOOR FIRE HAZARDS CHILDREN TRAINING:

  • Outdoor fire safety awareness
  • Campfire cooking classes
  • Stop, drop & roll
  • Survival skills practice
  • Fire pit construction

With backyard campfires so popular today, it’s a good idea to review safety precautions with all family members, not just the kids. If you’re planning s’mores or maybe something a bit more advanced, develop some fun cooking classes that everyone could participate in.

This could be part of a fun, family-orientated, ongoing survival skills exercise that could include many activities, including how to safely position, build, and use an outdoor fire pit. Start by learning how to safely make a fire, build a thick bed of coals for Dutch oven cooking, or cook on a grill over an open flame. Get creative with exciting recipes!

A most essential drill to teach youngsters is the STOP/DROP & ROLL technique if their clothes catch fire. Pray it never happens, but it’s always best to be prepared.

AVOID FIRE TRAGEDIES:

According to the US Fire Administration, the most recent 10-year average of house fires includes these startling statistics:

  • 374,300 fires
  • 2,720 deaths and more than 10,000 injuries
  • $9 billion in property damage

Sadly, fire departments respond to a fire somewhere in the US nearly every 30 seconds!

Meanwhile, in Canada, there are roughly 30 residential fires daily and approximately 200 fire deaths yearly.

Most of these tragic stories could have been prevented in Canada and the United States with the proper precautions and a safety plan. As parents, this knowledge comforts us, knowing that we can take steps to prevent such tragedies.

EMPOWER YOUR KIDS WITH THESE FIRE SAFETY RULES:

You can do many things to increase your child’s knowledge of fire safety. It starts with awareness and education. Please, at supper tonight, involve the entire family in a serious conversation about life-saving fire safety tips.

Discuss the importance of:

  • Never play with lighters or matches.
  • Have an escape plan and practice it with the whole family.
  • Stop/Drop & Roll if your clothes catch fire.
  • Knowing there’s less smoke near the floor. So, crawl to escape a fire.
  • Getting outside fast and go to the meeting spot. It’s scary when there’s a fire, but DO NOT hide.
  • Having your kids help remind you to test the smoke alarms routinely.

Protect your family with expert advice. Contact your local WE LOVE FIRE® dealer today for a free fire safety consultation and learn how to choose the safest appliances for your home.

Hearth Pads for Wood-Burning Stoves

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Hearth Pads for Wood-Burning Stoves

A hearth pad is “heat protection for your floor”. It’s a specific, dedicated, non-combustible surface that’s installed under and around all four sides of a wood-burning stove. Its purpose is two-fold. First, any hot sparks or burning embers that may pop out the appliance will fall harmlessly on the hearth pad and burn out. And secondly, a hearth pad can protect the wood subfloor from excessive heat.A hearth pad can be an interesting feature in your living room décor. It can blend with the color and style of your stove and will accent your appliance, but it must be made from something that cannot burn. Most popular materials are tile, slate, natural stone or brick.

Today’s EPA certified stoves burn cleaner than ever. Based on individual stove models, safety standards and building codes require the hearth pad to provide sufficient thermal protection. Because of the extremely high temperatures, a homemade hearth pad might not adequately protect the subfloor beneath your stove.

There are two types or levels of protection, based on the stove manufacturer’s requirements. A Type 1 hearth pad requires only protection from burning embers. Any non-combustible material will comply. It would probably look quite tacky, but even a large piece of thick sheet metal will fulfill this requirement!

Ember protection will not stop heat from burning the floor beneath the stove. The heat coming off the bottom and the sides of the stove can actually pass through a Type 1 pad and overheat the subfloor. A Type 2 hearth pad will prevent that heat from reaching the subfloor.

Type 2 hearth pads need a minimum protection of an R-value of 1.0 or more. Pads built with a material such as a micore mineral fiber board can provide a specific R-value to the hearth. Raising a Type 1 pad off the floor with a pedestal base built from metal studs is another way to get a higher R-value. The dead air space between the pedestal and the floor will offer an effective R-value. If you’re interested, the UL Standard for this information is UL 1618.

Wood Stove S Series by Napoleon

Final Considerations

It is critical to check the hearth or flooring requirements in the owner’s manual of your stove to ensure the proper protection is in place. The stove’s manual will state the type of floor protection that’s necessary. The manual will also specify the minimum size of the hearth pad and the minimum clearance requirements for the stove.

Remember that “more is always better” when it comes to clearance requirements and the size of the hearth underneath your stove. And, if you have “more” hearth, you’ll have plenty of room for a tool set, a wood rack, gloves and kindling. A larger hearth will protect more floor space and will make clean-up much easier, too.

To make things much easier and to take the work out of all of this, your WE LOVE FIRE® dealers offer various sizes of Type 1 and Type 2 hearth protection pads. There are loads of colors to suit your decorating scheme and still comply with the requirements from the stove manufacturer.

What about the space in front of your fireplace, does that need floor protection, too? Yes, they do and Type 2 hearth extensions for fireplace applications are readily available.

Most pellet stoves require a Type 1 hearth. Details for the size of the hearth for your model will be spelled out in the owner’s manual.

Since we’re on the subject, it’s also worth mentioning that many of today’s gas stoves do not require a hearth pad. It’s perfectly safe for them to be installed on a hardwood or laminate floor. But again, always check the owner’s manual for the requirements for your specific model.

Electric Fireplace: How To?

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How to Start an Electric Fireplace?

Starting an electric fireplace is done one of three ways. All are super simple! The fireplace can be operated by a touch panel or switch, usually located on the top or side of the unit. One tab will turn it on/off and other buttons will turn the heat on/off and adjust the liveliness of the flames.

Another way to start your electric fireplace is with a remote control. Make sure there’s fresh batteries in the remote and the power to the fireplace is on. Most fireplaces will require the main power switch be in a certain position when using a remote.

The remote will control: the unit being turned on/off, the heater being turn on/off and high/low, the temperature function and can adjust the lighting effects on the equipment.

Remotes usually use a line of site to operate, so it’s important to make sure you point the remote to the center of the fireplace each time you press the button. You’ll hear a beep and there may be a slight delay for the receiver to respond to the transmitter.

The third way to start your electric fireplace is with a wall thermostat. This operates the same way the thermostat for your furnace works. Wiring is run from the back of the fireplace to the thermostat in the wall. Simply set the desired temperature and when the thermostat starts calling for heat, the fireplace cycles on. When the thermostat is satisfied, it turns the heat off.

Of these three ways to start an electric fireplace, the remote control option is certainly the most popular.

3D rendering of cozy living room on cold winter night in the mountains, evening interior of chalet decorated with candles, fireplace fills the room with warmth.

Electric Fireplace by Ambiance

WHEN TO USE AN ELECTRIC FIREPLACE?

Anytime and/or all the time is the answer to this question! That’s because leaving the flame and lighting effects on for several hours a day, costs just pennies! Much has been said about the spectacular effects of today’s electric fireplaces, so why not enjoy them every day? The colors, media options and the inexpensive costs to enjoy the light show are reasons enough to keep your fireplace on all the time!

If you’re looking for ambiance and atmosphere, the fireplace can be on day and night. Use the heating feature on the fireplace only when you’re looking for supplemental heat for a brief period of time. Continuous electric heating can be quite expensive.

HOW LONG SHOULD I RUN AN ELECTRIC FIREPLACE?

Leaving an electric fireplace on all the time is not going to cause any damage to the equipment. However, with the heating element on, the damage is going to be felt in the balance of your checking account! Unless your home is specifically designed for electric heat, heating with electricity is an expensive way to go. If you’re looking for heat from your electric fireplace, it’s best to think of it as supplemental heat, not your main heat source.

Some folks use electric fireplaces as subdued, night lighting that’s left on overnight for the kids or elderly. Others use the fire and ice effects as a subliminal cooling effect in the summertime! Many consider an electric fireplace as “moving wall art”! We’re guessing that anyone who operates the remote will have their favorite colors and effects! The flames and light show on your electric fireplace cost pennies a day. So, keep it turned on and enjoy it!

ELECTRIC FIREPLACE MAINTENANCE

Electric fireplace equipment does not need a lot of regular routine maintenance. Keeping the batteries fresh in the remote probably tops the list. Most require AAA’s.

Cleaning the kids’ fingerprints from the glass can be done with a common household glass cleaner using a non-abrasive cloth. Let the glass thoroughly cool before cleaning.

And, if you have dogs or cats in the house, make sure the fireplace is kept free of pet hair and dust bunnies. Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to gently remove any dirt, dust, lint or other debris from the vent openings and control areas of the fireplace.

The Best Electric Fireplace Decor Ideas for 2023

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Going into 2023, you might be considering new ways to elevate your decor in a unique and contemporary way, or maybe you’re simply looking for a new home project to lose yourself in. One thing is certain, we here at WE LOVE FIRE® love everything that has to do with helping you make your home become an environment that makes you feel relaxed and inspired. And what is more relaxing or inspiring than an electric fireplace? When it comes to adding elegance to any room in the house, we don’t think anything can beat this modern insert.

With this helpful guide, we’ll give you the best electric fireplace ideas to create a decor you will never want to take your eyes off.

WHAT IS A HOT SPOT?
According to Wayne Visbeen & Napoleon, a Hot Spot is a place in your home where relaxation, socialization, and functionality come together to create emotional attachments, shape attitudes, and with the right amenities, increase the appeal of your home. Here at WE LOVE FIRE®, we believe that with the electric fireplace, you too can achieve a Hot Spot that will help your family to connect on a deeper level in your home.

THE CHAMELEON OF HOME DECOR
In fact, electric fireplaces are the chameleon of interior home decor. That is to say that there are many different models and styles that can fit seamlessly into any room of the house. Depending on where you decide to have it installed, an electric fireplace brings a distinctive ambiance. On one hand, a fireplace is known to look riveting in its natural habitat; the living room. The immediate feeling of warmth and cheer makes it a central element for family gatherings or simply for unwinding after a too-long day of work.

On the other hand, some electric fireplaces are riveting works of modern art, rea

dy to completely turn the vibe of your home into one that can only be found at the most sumptuous art galleries. In the bathroom, for example, a large clawfoot tub can be set before your electric fireplace for a soothing atmosphere. Or, in the dining room, set your electric fireplace to the no-heat mode and let only the appearance of flames release a sizzling and energetic mood that will keep the conversation flowing throughout the evening.

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS
While electric fireplaces lack the crackle and pop of firewood and the smell of burning logs, they have the benefit of being able to revitalize any space and with the appropriate supporting style, you can still enliven your every sense. As surrounding decor, a thick, lush rug and a set of fragrant candles can be placed in the vicinity of your electric fireplace in almost any room.

For example, in the master bedroom, install an electric fireplace on the bed headboard to add a romantic flair. On the other hand, an electric fireplace in your teenager’s bedroom will give it a dramatic look to fit their current style.

Take your basement bar and game room to another level with an electric fireplace and capture the warmth and feeling of your favorite pub.

The Best Electric Fireplace Decor Ideas for 2023 – Electric Fireplace Stylus Cara by Napoleon
Electric Fireplace Stylus Cara by Napoleon
SAFE FOR ANY SPACE
Fret not, for electric fireplaces stay cool to the touch, as they have top-of-the-line heating fan outlets that prevent the surrounding areas from getting any heat, making them a safe option for your family home. This means that you do not have to worry about the little one’s fascination with fire and can place a large-screen TV right over the display of fire and enjoy the combination of warmth and entertainment at your fingertips.

Some models of electric fireplaces are even built into a TV stand for the addition of functionality and storage to its natural splendor. As a bonus, most models of electric fireplaces have LED light options to set the flame display to the color combination best suited to your mood. While electric fireplace

s do not produce real flames, they give the impression of reality. Use it to set the tone of the film you’re about to watch or to impress your party guests when you’re hosting a lavish dinner.

LIVEN UP YOUR DECOR
The heating fan outlet also means that the decor you choose to place around the fireplace will never be damaged by heat exposure or pollutants. Consider placing a wooden mantel over your fireplace for a rustic touch to your space. It has the additional purpose of being an eye-catcher when properly decorated, giving a natural flow to the room it is in.

You can easily find items around your home to add to your mantel for a more personalized look, or even go on a walk to collect nature’s bounty and bring the outside i

nto your environment. You can also take a trip to your local thrift or antique store for unique and eco-friendly treasures to liven up your space.

Looking for some more mantel inspiration? For a complete handbook on how to decorate your dream fireplace mantel, head to We Love Fire’s Decorating Your Mantel – The Complete 2022 Guide.

For more interior design inspiration or to know more about the captivating architect Wayne Visbeen, explore the vast world of WE LOVE FIRE®, your destination for everything that ignites the soul.