The Smart Examiner

Many individuals are suffering, lost their possessions and perish because of fire. In the United States, fires are the leading causes of injury at home despite the fact that fires can easily be precluded. In some cases where people die of fire, it is because they were not aware that their houses or the building that they are in is on fire.

Fire Suppression Systems admonish people of a possible fire. It warns the occupant while they still have time to either put out the fire or evacuate to refuge. Almost of todays Fire Suppression Systems automatically call or notify the nearest fire department so that the fire will not fan out of check.

Fire alarms can be triggered manually, by fume or by heat. They are fashioned to detect heat and fume, which two substances are indication of fire. What about those who have hearing impairment? Sensible question. Some Fire Suppression Systems employ blinking or flashing lights instead of a warning sound or bell. With todays technology, Fire Suppression Systems can now be consolidated with the home protection alarm system for the utmost security and safeguard of your house.

Fume detectors, evidently detect the presence of fume in the air. They detect fume by either ionization or optical detection. Other smoke sensors also have carbon monoxide sensors which are very instrumental in preventing carbon monoxide poisoning.The optical detector in fume sensors is a light sensor which uses a ray like laser. These beam sensors then sends a laser like beam to other sensors, if fume is non-existent, the laser like beam passes through the optical chamber of the light sensor in a straight line. If smoke is present, the laser like beam is diffused by the fume particles as it moves into the light detector and the diffused light then activates the alarm of the fume alarm.

Ionization sensors are much affordable than light sensors, although these types of smoke sensors are discouraged from being used because of environmental grounds. Ionization detectors work by discovering particles of smoke by a minute amount of radioactive americium-241 (that is why it is discouraged from being used). The radiation of this material passes through an ionization chamber. This chamber allows the steady stream of current of electrodes, so that when fume particles enter this chamber it cuts off the flow thus setting the alarm off.

Other Fire Suppression Systems utiizes a sprinkler system. The sprinklers are connected to the fire alarms so that when the alarm goes off, the sprinkler goes off too. Simple yet effective really if you ask me.

The Boys Scouts motto, “Be Prepared” makes a lot of sense in this day and age of hurricanes, terrorism, and crime. But most people aren’t prepared. According to retail expert, Francey Smith, “People won’t think twice about buying a new sweater, I-Pod or HD Television, but when it comes to their safety and preparedness, they let those purchases take a back seat.” Smith is hoping to get word out to the masses to change this dynamic in 2006. “We all need to become active participants in our safety,” she says. “After Hurricane Katrina, the Tsunami and headline after headline about hospital errors, car accidents and other misfortunes, we want our list to get people thinking about being better prepared. Award-winning actress, Sela Ward understands this all too well and her son’s emergency supply paks top our list.”

1. PREPARED PAKS (starting at $15 on http://www.preparedpak.com) – After the hurricanes devastated Sela Ward’s native Mississippi, her 11-year old son, Austin Sherman, created emergency supply packs for car, home, pet and family. The paks contain everything you need for survival in a natural disaster or tragedy. One hundred percecent of the proceeds goes to HOPE VILLAGE FOR CHILDREN – with all proceeds benefiting VICTIMS OF HURRICANES.

2. PATIENT SAFETY VIDEO ($29.95 on http://www.patientsafetyvideo.com) – After news revealed that 98,000 Americans die each year due to medical errors in the hospital, with as many as two million patients contracting infections from U.S. hospitals or medical centers each year, accounting for 90,000 deaths, four independent filmmakers created Things You Should Know Before Entering The Hospital. The film gives viewers a step-by-step guide based on the advice of experts and experiences of real patients. It contains important information on how a patient and their advocate can help avoid medical errors. It addresses questions such as: How do you avoid wrong-site surgery? Why is hand washing so important? Why do you need an advocate? How do you avoid medication errors? How do you become an advocate? Plus much more, including: “How to avoid infection.”

3. CAR MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS ($25.00 to $50.00) – There is nothing worse than taking off for a driving vacation and two hours out on the road you encounter car problems. According to the Car Care Council (CCC), “tow truck operators in resort areas or along Interstate highways see all too many travelers forced to return home ahead of schedule due to car trouble. The situation usually means more than just a repair bill and can involve towing charges, lodging and possibly a rental car. Add to that the cost of extra phone calls, meals and general inconvenience and the ordeal becomes expensive. Additionally, the CCC reports that poor vehicle maintenance is responsible for five percent of road accidents involving 2,600 deaths and 100,000 disabling injuries each year. Joel Burrows, a.k.a. “The Car Doctor” and VP of Training/R&D at Precision Tune Auto Car Care explains that most auto repair and maintenance centers offer a pre-trip inspection.

4. SMOKE ALARMS AND FIRE EXTINQUISHERS – ($13.99 – $129 and $10.00 – $40.00 at Home Depot and Lowes Hardware) – Nearly 3,400 people died each year in fires, according to a study released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s U.S. Fire Administration. In a full two-thirds of these fires, smoke alarms are missing or not working. Underwriters Laboratory recommends that in addition to working smoke detectors, every household should have UL Listed fire extinguishers strategically placed in rooms such as the kitchen, garage or workshop. They advise that you don’t just hang your extinguisher on the wall or in the cupboard but plan ahead. Read the instruction manual and know your extinguisher’s capabilities before trying to fight a fire. Portable fire extinguishers are useful for putting out small fires, but recognize your limits and the limits of the extinguisher.

5. FIRE PROOF SAFES – ($149 – $700.00 at Office Depot) – After every disaster, whether tornado, hurricane or fire, what people miss the most are their personal photos and papers. When purchasing a fire proof safe ask about water protection too. You want to make sure that your personal items will be safe in the event of a fire or water damage.

6. GPS LOCATOR – ($30 – $50 a month – http://www.safequardian.com) Imagine if you or one of you loved ones were injured on a desolate road with no idea where they are. Even with a cell phone, if you do not know where you are, you are at a loss. With the new GPS locator phones, all you would have to do is push one button, and an operator would be able to talk with you and dispatch emergency medical assistance to your exact location.

7. HOME AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR – ($1,242 Philips HeartStart on Amazon.com) Defibrillators are used in cases of sudden cardiac arrest, a condition that kills about 220,000 people nationally each year, or 600 deaths each day, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Conditions can be caused when the normal electricity that maintains the heartbeat is interrupted. Defibrillators issue an electrical shock that can restart this electrical charge. But time is crucial. “For every minute you’re down, you lose 10% in brain function,” said AHA spokeswoman Cindy Hawken. After 10 minutes, most people die. The association says automated external defibrillators can help victims of sudden cardiac arrest.

Betty Hoeffner has been writing articles for various media outlets for the past 30 years. She is currently producer of a patient safety film called “Things You Should Know Before You Enter the Hospital” and president of Hey U.G.L.Y., Inc. NFP, a 501C3 nonprofit organization that empowers teens with self-esteem building tools, to help them counter challenges such as eating disorders, bullying, violence, substance abuse and suicide. U.G.L.Y. is an acronym meaning Unique Gifted Lovable You.