Six reasons why your fire safety devices are not maintained.

Are you familiar with the quote that says;

“How you do anything is how you do everything.”

Martha Beck

This essentially means that how you manage situations or experiences in one area of your life is likely to be how you manage them in other areas.

This idea is particularly interesting when it comes to the area of fire safety. In one of our recent surveys, we asked the following question about safety equipment:

How often do you check or maintain your fire safety equipment?

1. Monthly
2. Every six months
3. Once a year
4. Since President Jonathan’s Administration
5. Other: _____________________

The number of people who clicked on ‘other’ were almost as many as those who selected the additional options.

For instance, over 5% of the respondents had never serviced their equipment or were not aware that fire safety devices require maintenance.

While the majority would usually service their items annually and bi-annually.

From the reasons given and with our knowledge of this area, we have found six reasons people neglect their safety devices. They are:

Six Major Reasons why we fail to maintain our fire safety equipment.

1. Lack of Awareness and Education

• Limited Knowledge: Many homeowners are not aware of the importance of regularly maintaining fire safety equipment, such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and related fire safety devices. Without understanding the risks of malfunctioning equipment, they may assume their devices will function whenever needed.

• Infrequent Home Safety Training: Unlike workplaces that may provide fire safety training, most homeowners haven’t been trained in fire safety maintenance. This lack of education can lead to the assumption that one-time installation is enough.

2. Complacency Due to Perceived Low-Risk

• The “It Won’t Happen to Me” Mentality: Many homeowners believe that a fire emergency is unlikely to happen to them, especially if they’ve never experienced one before. This sense of security can lead to neglect in checking or maintaining fire safety equipment.
• Safe Living Habits: Some homeowners may assume their safe living habits (e.g., turning off appliances after use, not smoking indoors) minimize fire risks, making regular equipment checks seem unnecessary.

3. Busy Lifestyles and Oversight

• Forgetting Due to Daily Responsibilities: Many homeowners are preoccupied with daily activities and family responsibilities, causing fire safety maintenance to be overlooked or postponed. Without a set schedule, equipment checks are often forgotten.

• Lack of Routine Maintenance Schedule: Unlike seasonal home maintenance tasks (e.g., air filter replacement), fire safety checks aren’t typically part of homeowners’ regular to-do lists, and without reminders, they’re easy to miss.

4. Financial Concerns

• Cost of Replacement and Repairs: Fire safety equipment, like extinguishers and smoke alarms, may require repairs or replacements, which some homeowners might avoid due to cost concerns.

• Perceived as Non-Essential Expense: Homeowners who don’t view fire safety equipment as urgent may put off maintenance or upgrades, especially if budget constraints make other expenses more pressing.

5. Misunderstanding Equipment Needs

• Assuming Equipment is Always Functional: Many homeowners don’t realize that smoke alarms, extinguishers, require regular checks and have expiration dates. There’s a common misconception that fire safety devices are always ready to function without routine care.

• Unaware of Battery Lifespan: Some homeowners assume batteries in smoke alarms last indefinitely or forget that regular testing is needed to ensure proper function.

6. Lack of Government or Local Reminders

• Limited Public Awareness Campaigns: Unlike annual reminders for tasks like flu shots or vehicle inspections, few consistent campaigns remind homeowners of the importance of fire safety equipment checks.

• Absence of External Inspections: Unlike businesses, private homes are rarely inspected for fire safety compliance, making it easy to neglect maintenance.

Practical Tips for Homeowners to Maintain Fire Safety Equipment

1. Set Reminders for Routine Checks: Use calendar reminders or apps to set monthly checks for smoke alarms and twice-yearly maintenance for fire extinguishers.

2. Incorporate Fire Safety into Home Maintenance: Add fire safety equipment checks to seasonal maintenance tasks to ensure they aren’t overlooked.

3. Replace Batteries Regularly: Change smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries as needed and test alarms quarterly.

4. Inspect and Replace Fire Extinguishers as Needed: Check the pressure gauge and expiration date on extinguishers regularly. Consider professional servicing if needed.

5. Stay Informed on Fire Safety Best Practices: Keep up with fire safety guidelines from local fire departments or online resources to ensure equipment is up to current standards.