Question 1

How do I maintain fire protection systems?

Accepted Answer

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Regular inspections, battery replacements, and testing alarms help maintain reliability.

Question 2

Do I also need a cricket for my chimney?

Accepted Answer

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In addition to flashing, a roof cricket can help divert water around your chimney so that it drains properly off your roof. It’s shaped like a double triangle and is installed behind the chimney so that falling water spills evenly down each side. This helps prevent water from accumulating behind your chimney, which can increase water damage and the risk of leaks.

The International Building Code (IBC) requires cricket installation if a chimney built after 2012 measures over 30 inches in width. Chimneys constructed before that date are typically grandfathered in and aren’t required to have crickets installed.

Question 3

What if my smoke detector is too high to reach?

Accepted Answer

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Your smoke detector might be too high in some homes or circumstances to reach yourself. If you feel unsafe getting on a ladder to replace your hardwired smoke detector, call a licensed electrician or local handyman to knock this project off your to-do list. If you have a battery-operated smoke detector, your local fire department can change the batteries or help you replace the detector—just make sure you call the non-emergency number.

In any case, do not let this project go unresolved, as it could turn into a huge safety issue.

Question 4

Which is safer: an oil or a gas furnace?

Accepted Answer

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Generally, an oil furnace is considered safer than a gas furnace for several reasons. While both types of furnaces can produce carbon monoxide, a leak in an oil furnace is easier to detect due to the smell. Oil furnaces also don't connect to a gas pipeline, which reduces the chance of a fuel leak. Most importantly, heating oil is not combustible, whereas natural gas is highly flammable. This means there is a much lower risk of combustion or explosion with an oil furnace. However, an oil furnace can still pose a fire hazard if it tips over.

Question 5

What safety concerns should I keep in mind when considering a holiday lighting project?

Accepted Answer

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Ensure you have a safe environment for them to work on, and there aren’t items such as logs, build-up of yard materials, missing or damaged shingles, and weak areas on the roof. Communicate any known electrical issues with contractors at the beginning of the project, and consider hiring an electrician to fix those. Finally, if you are attempting the project yourself, do so when there isn’t any rain, and you can safely get your footing on the roof using proper equipment, such as an extension ladder. Don’t attempt this alone, and have a helper nearby to assist.